Hoping San Francisco Giants Show Clarity and Direction in 2018

As we get ready to begin a new year, my hope for the San Francisco Giants in 2018 is that they give us some sort of clarity and direction as to where the team is going.

At the beginning of 2017 I thought the Giants had the ability to win the National League West and compete for another World Series.

About mid-way through the year that feeling was quickly deflated.

Instead of competing for championships, the Giants are stuck in the middle trying to figure out what their future holds.

At the trade deadline I was all for trading any asset outside of Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford or Madison Bumgarner. I wanted to see them try to restock the farm system and get younger.

Instead, the Giants pretty much stood pat and held on to what they had.

The plan this offseason seems to be to build around the core mentioned above and try to compete now. To be honest, I’m not very optimistic that will happen in 2018. As good as I thought the Giants were to start the 2017 season, I feel the complete opposite heading into 2018.

More from Around the Foghorn

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• Atlanta claims SF Giants C Chadwick Tromp off waivers

If I’m wrong, then I think we see the Giants become contenders for the next two or three years with that core in their prime.

However, if that’s not the case and the Giants fall flat again, then the front office has to consider a rebuild.

Either way, the one place no fan wants to be is in the middle. There is nothing more frustrating than not knowing the direction of your team.

Rebuilds are something that can definitely work — we just saw a prime example with the Houston Astros. It takes time and patience, but it’s not the end of the world.

I just don’t want to see this team continue down this road of patch working things every offseason and not building for the future.

Next: Best San Francisco Giants Moments from 2017: My First Trip to AT&T Park

Whichever way the 2018 season goes, I hope we get some sort of direction as to where this team is going over the next few years.

Happy New Year!