San Francisco Giants Tickets

The San Francisco Giants had a predictably rough 2008 season as they begin to rebuild, but there is some home for improvement in 2009.

The Giants contemplated making runs at both ace C.C. Sabathia and slugger Manny Ramirez in the offseason, but they were never very serious about going after either player.

The result is a team that looks very much like last year's, which means more heartache for Bay Area fans.

The team did make a couple of acquisitions, one of which being the signing of shortstop Edgar Renteria to a contract. Renteria was terrible with the Detroit Tigers, but he has always fared much better in the National League.

The team also added some experience to their young pitching staff by signing left-handed flame-thrower Randy Johnson. Johnson is coming off yet another surgery but says he is finally 100 percent healthy.

The outfield is the most experienced part of this team, with Aaron Roward, Fred Lewis and Randy Winn out there on patrol. It lacks a lot of offensive firepower, but all three hit for a decent average and have a lot of speed.

The infield is where things get dicey, as it's essentially Renteria and a host of no-name prospects. They will have veteran Bengie Molina behind the plate, and he will help with the young arms.

The bread and butter of this team is the young and talented starting rotation, and it all starts with ace and Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum.

Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez and Noah Lowry are also key parts of the future rotation, though the latter must rebound from a couple of injuries that cost him a lot of time last year.

Then of course there is always Barry Zito, the $115 million bust. Zito did rebound to pitch a little better last year, but he could be well on his way to losing a spot in the starting rotation if Lowry can rebound.

While it's going to be a rough season for the Giants, at least their fans can get a good look at what the future may hold in the number of young players seeing time around the diamond. At least they can take solace in that pitching staff.