Giants 2010 Question Marks and Outlook

Are the Giants a legitimate, 90 win contender for first place in the Western Division?

Will the revamped line-up be able to improve on the pedestrian run total put up by the Giants offense in the last two seasons? Maybe something more in the 700-725 runs scored neighborhood?

(640 runs scored in 2008 and 657 runs scored in 2009)

Will a middle of the order consisting of some combination of DeRosa, Huff and Sandoval strike fear into the hearts of opposition pitching staffs?

Is this the breakout year for Nate Schierholtz or a visit to the "Last Chance Saloon"?

Can Hensely Meulens make a bigger difference in the team batting average, and more importantly the much coveted OPS, than Carney Lansford was able to?

Will Freddie Sanchez and Edgar Renteria shake off injury woes and return to elite form or continue to spend more quality time on the D.L. than on the field?

Will a slimmed down Pablo Sandoval produce 25 or more HR's or succumb to a sophomore slump?

Will Tim Lincecum compete for an unprecedented third Cy Young Award in his third season?

Can Matt Cain and Barry Zito build on last years improvement?

Will Johnathan Sanchez be able to hold runners on better and build on his no-hit stuff potential to become an elite, plus-.500 pitcher?

Does Madison Bumgarner enter the rotation from the bottom this year, or gain an additional year of seasoning and enter it more towards the top next season?

The answers to these questions will go a long way towards determining whether the Giants are contenders or, once again, pretenders. The Western Division is one where a key injury or contribution from one player can move a team from first to worst and back again.

Other than praying for Timmy's elbow (please, no sliders!!) I would think that Schierholtz could be the key. If he can come in and produce power numbers similar to those Sandoval threw up there last year, this team could rock and roll.

Play 50/50 with Sanchez and Renteria returning to form--and I would prefer a revitalized Sanchez BTW--and   the Giants could indeed return to the playoff picture in 2010.