Fansided
Around The Foghorn
Home/SF Giants History

Bruce Bochy’s Greatest San Francisco Giants Team

By Michael Saltzman
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 31: Manager Bruce Bochy #15 of the San Francisco Giants, holding the Commissioner's Trophy waves to the crowd along the parade route during the San Francisco Giants World Series victory parade on October 31, 2014 in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Giants beat the Kansas City Royals to win the 2014 World Series. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 31: Manager Bruce Bochy #15 of the San Francisco Giants, holding the Commissioner's Trophy waves to the crowd along the parade route during the San Francisco Giants World Series victory parade on October 31, 2014 in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Giants beat the Kansas City Royals to win the 2014 World Series. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 9
Next
SAN FRANCISCO – AUGUST 28: Juan Uribe #5 and Pablo Sandoval #48 of the San Francisco Giants celebrate after defeating the Colorado Rockies during a Major League Baseball game at AT&T Park on August 28, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO – AUGUST 28: Juan Uribe #5 and Pablo Sandoval #48 of the San Francisco Giants celebrate after defeating the Colorado Rockies during a Major League Baseball game at AT&T Park on August 28, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

Third Base – Juan Uribe (2009)

Pablo Sandoval had an up and down career as a Giant and his ups were glorious, including his infamous three home run game in the 2012 World Series.

Sandoval best season was 2014, where he posted a 3.4 WAR during the regular season and then couldn’t stop hitting in October to help lead the Giants to a third World Series championship.

However, Juan Uribe, who became a huge part of the Giants success in 2010 to win their first championship, had an even better year in 2009.

His 3.5 WAR stands as the best season from a third baseman in the last 12 seasons.

Now, Uribe was a great utility man in 2009, much like he was throughout his Giants tenure and he did play a lot of shortstop and second base as well, but he played his most games in 2009 at third base.

In 2010, when Sandoval struggled after a breakout 2009, Uribe stepped in and had a marvelous October run playing third base.

Heading into 2019, Evan Longoria begins his second season in the Giants infield at the hot corner. If he can have a season similar to his 3.6 WAR season for Tampa Bay in 2017, he would have the best season among Giants third baseman.

Left Field – Melky Cabrera (2012)

The San Francisco Giants had a magnificent season in 2012, running away with the National League pennant and winning the World Series with a four game sweep of heavily favored Detroit.

They also had two of the greatest comebacks in playoff history, beating the Cincinnati Reds in a five game series after being down 0-2 and beating the St. Louis Cardinals after being down 3-1.

“Never Say Die” became the rallying cry of the 2012 Giants. One thing that did seem to die was the team’s relationship with one of their biggest contributors that season.

Melky Cabrera was magnificent at the start of 2012, going to the All-Star game, and leading the Giants offense along with Posey.

Then, he was popped for performance enhancing drugs, and the team refused to allow him to return to the club when he was eligible.

His 4.8 WAR was much better than any other left fielder over the last dozen years and his bat was a huge reason the Giants made it to the playoffs that season.

It’s too bad the Cabrera era ended so abruptly and so coldly, but so goes the position vacated by Barry Bonds after Bochy’s first year in 2007.

In 2019, it would seem to be highly unlikely that anyone will top Cabrera’s value in 2012. Not to mention that he did it in only 113 games.

facebooktwitterreddit