How to overhaul the Giants in '06

Demote:

• Alfonzo -- whose specialties are the popup to second, the popup to first, and the foul popup to first -- is useless; dump him
  
• Throw Feliz sliders off the plate all day, and you've got 4-8 easy outs, depending on how many runners are already on base; trade him or make him a full-time bench player
  
• Durham can't field -- trade him to the AL
  
• Niekro can't hit righties; trade him or make him a pinch hitter
  
• Jason Ellison has a big heart but poor baseball instincts; trade him
  
• Yamid Haad -- who the hell is that?
  

Maintain and improve:

• Figure out what the hell is going on with Bonds
  
• Re-sign J.T. Snow for his glove, clutch October potential, and leadership -- but acquire a full-time 1B
  
• Keep Vizquel for all he brings to the table: glove, hitting smarts, overall leadership and World Series experience
  
• Keep Alou for his bat and cajones
  
• Keep Matheny for his work ethic, meaningful ABs, and World Series experience
  
• Keep Randy Winn for his speed, bat, and overall competence
  
• Acquire a power-hitting 3B
  
• Acquire a 2B who can field
  
• Re-sign Tucker and Cruz as pinch hitters
  

Pitching:

• Exercise Schmidt's option
  
• Appoint Hennessey 4th starter
  
• Keep Noah Lowry as occasional 5th starter
  
• Find a number 2 and 3 guy for the starting rotation
  
• LaTroy Hawkins: 7th inning guy
  
• Scott Munter: 8th inning guy
  
• Re-sign Eyre
  
• Keep Walker as a backup closer
  
• Hope Benitez isn't Shawn Estes
  
• Say goodbye to Tomko -- not because of skills, but because he's the second coming of Van Landingham
  
• Bye and thanks to Rueter
  
• Later, Christiansen
  

6-4 win vs COL   |   46-61