I won't make a prediction for this season. I made one long ago before SFG added a number of highly-prized, valuable free agents. Instead, I'll just share what I hope can happen, within the bounds of reasonable expectations.
Lee becomes a first-rate leadoff hitter in the .375 OBP range with 100 runs scored, and is a just-shy-of-gold-glove outfielder. Chapman and Ahmed between them play gold-glove worthy left-side defense and between them score 150 runs and hit .250/.750 OPS. Ahmed would have to have a resurgent batting year, wins Comeback PoY. Estrada doesn't get hurt and plays the offense/defense he did in the first half last year. Wade/Flores hit 35 HRs between them at an .850 OPS pace. Bailey is strong enough to hold up, is a candidate for gold glove, and between him and Murphy hit .750 OPS. Yaz, Conforto and Matos hit 50 home runs between them at an .850+ OPS clip. Soler hits 31 HRs. Slater returns to form, Fitz does a great utility job.
Snell, Webb, Hicks are all Cy Young candidates, Harrison becomes RoY, Cobb wins 15, Ray goes 8-2 in his starts. Doval isn't needed as much and finishes 4th in saves, pitching 20 fewer games. Staff ERA is sub-3.00, staff WHIP is sub-1.25. Defense is top five in MLB. Melvin proves last year's Padres disappointment and last year's Giants meltdowns are things of the past. No major injuries.
Half a dozen to a dozen minor leaguers are ready to make the big jump to the big club. Beck, Miller and Slater all do great, and Stanford becomes the primary feeder school to SF Giants.
Giants win 95 games, finish first in the division, win the NLDS, NLCS and WS.
Lee becomes a first-rate leadoff hitter in the .375 OBP range with 100 runs scored, and is a just-shy-of-gold-glove outfielder. Chapman and Ahmed between them play gold-glove worthy left-side defense and between them score 150 runs and hit .250/.750 OPS. Ahmed would have to have a resurgent batting year, wins Comeback PoY. Estrada doesn't get hurt and plays the offense/defense he did in the first half last year. Wade/Flores hit 35 HRs between them at an .850 OPS pace. Bailey is strong enough to hold up, is a candidate for gold glove, and between him and Murphy hit .750 OPS. Yaz, Conforto and Matos hit 50 home runs between them at an .850+ OPS clip. Soler hits 31 HRs. Slater returns to form, Fitz does a great utility job.
Snell, Webb, Hicks are all Cy Young candidates, Harrison becomes RoY, Cobb wins 15, Ray goes 8-2 in his starts. Doval isn't needed as much and finishes 4th in saves, pitching 20 fewer games. Staff ERA is sub-3.00, staff WHIP is sub-1.25. Defense is top five in MLB. Melvin proves last year's Padres disappointment and last year's Giants meltdowns are things of the past. No major injuries.
Half a dozen to a dozen minor leaguers are ready to make the big jump to the big club. Beck, Miller and Slater all do great, and Stanford becomes the primary feeder school to SF Giants.
Giants win 95 games, finish first in the division, win the NLDS, NLCS and WS.
Audaces fortuna iuvat