How Improved are the Giants after signing Mike Morse?

May 1, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Michael Morse (38) hits a two run home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the 4th inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

As Denise wrote earlier today, Mike Morse to fill Left Field void, the Giants have signed Free Agent outfielder Mike Morse to a 1 years $6 million contract.

Giants General Manager Brian Sabean has made a few moves this off-season, re-signed Hunter Pence, Tim Lincecum and Javier Lopez and signed Tim Hudson and Mike Morse.

Some questions I have and I’m sure many Giants fans have is this: Is this team better than the one that finished the 2013 season? are these moves enough to add 16 wins?

When healthy the regular Giants lineup in 2013 was

CF-Pagan

2B-Scutaro

1B-Belt

C- Posey

RF-Pence

3B-Sandoval

LF-Blanco

SS-Crawford

Pitchers Spot

When I first heard this morning of the Morse signing, one of the first thoughts I had was “what will the lineup look like come Opening Day 2014?” A lineup that I thought of was also tweeted out by one of my followers as well as John Shea (National baseball writer/columnist, San Francisco Chronicle)

I truly believe that these lineups are definitely an offensive improvement over the team that finished the season 76-86. Some fans seem to think, and I somewhat agree, that LF didn’t really become a big problem until Angel Pagan went down with injury in late May. What this Morse signing does do is give the lineup some added power and takes some pressure off of players like Belt, Posey and Pence to carry the offensive workload, game in and game out. The one big question regarding Morse is health, having played 88 this past year due to a couple different ailments.

Morse in April of 2013 hit a total of 8 homeruns while playing in a very pitcher friendly park in Seattle, ended the season with 13 total. If he can get back to his 2011 numbers, he would be a welcomed addition to the lineup and would be a total “bargain” at $6 million

Now that the rotation seems to be set and the left field question has been answered, what moves are next for Sabean to make?

I believe that the only question marks now would be the bullpen. As of right now, I would think the bull pen would be as follows:

Petit, Hembree, Casilla, Afeldt, Lopez, Casill and Romo. That’s a pretty good bullpen and could maybe use another arm in there.

What are your thoughts on the Morse signing? and what do you see the lineup looking like come Opening Day 2014?

For one of the funniest things you will ever see, I suggest you watch this video below of Mike Morse hitting a Grand Slam in 2012 while playing for the Nationals. Not something you will see everyday in a baseball game.

Enjoy