Where We're At

I caught Jason Stark's article today on espn.com (you can find it here). He paints a pretty grim picture for the Giants (as well as the Phillies and Nationals). And while this season might not turn into the nightmare scenario he conjures, the long-term future of this team is not anything to jump up and down about.

Brian Sabean has left the club without a single young stud in the lineup, something nearly every team in majors has (7, if you're the Rays). And while the young pitching staff is promising, I don't think any of them can hit for power.

There isn't any top flight hitting prospect ready to make the leap to the majors, either.

If you think the offense looks bad now, where will it be without Bonds?

Who is available for the Giants to go after in free agency next summer? Is there a team ready to trade away hitting for Jonathan Sanchez?

Two thoughts -- Torii Hunter is on his way out of Minnesota. The usual suspects (Yankees, Red Sox) will likely not be in the picture. He'll be 32 when next season begins so acquiring him wouldn't exactly make the team any younger.

The Devil Rays have a fine collection of young position players. They have trouble finding spots for them all, and they desperately need pitching help. Take a look at their position players:

OF: Elijah Dukes
OF: Rocco Baldelli
OF: Carl Crawford
OF: Delmon Young
OF/DH: Jonny Gomes
OF/IF: BJ Upton
SS: Bill Zobrist
3B: Akinori Iwamura
1B: Ty Wigginton

Every one of those guys is an athlete and can hit. Wigginton is the oldest at 29. Someone should be raiding this lineup later this summer for pitching. That someone's initials are BS.