THE GIANTS Five players & five plotlines

BY KERRY CROWLEY

BrandonBelt

Want to spark a debate among Giants fans? Just mention his name and watch the "Belt Wars” begin. While many adore Belt for his Gold Glove-caliber defense and disciplined approach at the plate, others despise his willingness to take too many pitches and lament his inability to stay healthy. The divide among Giants fans plays out almost daily on social media as the two sides engage in cyber warfare discussing the pros and cons of Belt's presence in the heart of the team's order. And while many are eager to denigrate his performance, it's no secret that Belt is a key cog in the Giants lineup who can lead an offense when he's firing on all cylinders. For the Giants to have a chance of contending, they need Belt to play at the All-Star-caliber level he's capable of and remain an everyday presence in the lineup. After missing nearly 100 games over the past two seasons, time is running out for Belt to prove he's capable of providing the consistency expected of one of the club's top earners.

DerekHolland

After signing with the Giants as a minor league free agent last year, Holland enjoyed his best season since 2013 and proved that when healthy, he's a reliable, middle-of-the-rotation starter. Holland returned on a major league deal this offseason and will be counted on to replicate his success.

BrandonCrawford

The Giants' All-Star shortstop lost his grip on the Gold Glove, but he remains an elite defender. After hitting .292 in the first half last season, a knee injury led to

Trade Bait

Will Smith: The 2018 Willie Mac Award winner returned from Tommy John surgery to post the best numbers of his career last season. With a mid-90s fastball and a devastating breaking ball, Smith is an asset in the Giants’ bullpen, but he could help any team with its sights set on the playoffs. If the Giants fall out of contention, expect Smith to be traded.

Tony Watson: Like Smith, a battle-tested left-hander with a track record of reliability.

Joe Panik: If Panik returns to form, the Giants could sell high at the trade deadline and deal a player who rarely strikes out.

Sam Dyson: Every contender could use a ground-ball machine, and Dyson qualifies as one of the best.

a massive dip in production. Like Belt, Crawford must prove he can stay healthy through a rigorous 162-game schedule if the Giants hope to contend.

DereckRodríguez

In a normal year, Rodríguez's debut season would have earned him serious Rookie of the Year consideration. Instead, a loaded rookie class in the National League left him out of the picture, but the right-hander did set several Giants rookie records. Was the success a fluke? Or can the converted outfielder prove he's here to stay?

StevenDuggar

The Giants' struggles to develop homegrown outfielders are well-documented, but Duggar is a rare talent with the potential to become a long-term starter in center field. With a combination of elite defensive skills, good speed and a quick bat, Duggar may also emerge as the team's regular leadoff hitter.

Plotlines

It’s Farhan’s world

The new president of baseball operations was hired to bring an outside-the-box approach to an organization that prides itself on continuity and tradition. Will Zaidi’s new methods lead the Giants into the future? Or will a roster with plenty of veteran assets prove reluctant to embrace change?

The Bochy Tour

The future Hall of Famer enters his 13th season with the Giants and his 25th as a major league manager. Rather than dangle out there with a lame-duck season, the skipper opted to control his own fate and make this his final chapter.

The fate of MadBum

Giants ace Madison Bumgarner is entering the final year of a contract and suddenly is staring at an uncertain future. Will the organization make a long-term commitment to the sturdy left-hander, or are Bumgarner’s days with the Giants running out? Expect his name to be a hot topic at the trade deadline.

Open it up

At the Winter Meetings, Zaidi announced the Giants will seriously consider using alternative pitching strategies this year, including the “opener.” While Bumgarner will start every fifth day, the Giants may opt to use relievers to pitch in the first inning of games if Zaidi and Bochy believe it gives the club a potential advantage. The A’s helped make the strategy popular. Can the Giants copy its success?

Buster’s ballgame?

After undergoing hip surgery last August, catcher Buster Posey believes he’ll return to form at the plate. That’s critical if the Giants hope to improve their offense, over a unit that’s finished 29th in runs scored in each of the past two seasons and is still heavily reliant on its franchise player’s ability to drive in runs.