No word on whether Barry Bonds and Buster Posey were just comparing MVP trophies or just talking hitting. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2. San Francisco Giants
Last year: 76-86, tied for third place
Projected finish: Second place
What’s New: RHP Tim Hudson (Atlanta), LHP David Huff (N.Y. Yankees), OF Michael Morse (Baltimore).
Who’s Gone: RHP Chad Gaudin (Philadelphia), LHP Jose Mijares (Boston), OF Andres Torres (still unsigned), LHP Barry Zito (limbo).
Who’s Down: 2B Marco Scutaro (15-day DL, lower back strain), LHP Jeremy Affeldt (15-day DL, right knee sprain).
Outlook: The Giants collapsed in 2013 while gazing about at the flaming wreckage that was their once-vaunted starting rotation, with only Madison Bumgarner able to remain above the carnage. With the exception of Barry Zito, that group is back intact this season, augmented by free-agent signing Tim Hudson, with the hopes that last year was an aberration. Michael Morse brings right-handed pop to the order and will hopefully master the jet streams in left field at AT&T Park (his debut there in the Bay Bridge Series was a bit, shall we say, exciting for all the wrong reasons). The bullpen looks like it should be solid, so long as the starters can give them some leads to work with.