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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) /
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DENVER – AUGUST 23: Relief picher Jeremy Affeldt #41 of the San Francisco Giants delivers against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 23, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Giants 4-2. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER – AUGUST 23: Relief picher Jeremy Affeldt #41 of the San Francisco Giants delivers against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 23, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Giants 4-2. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

Middle Relief – Jeremy Affeldt (2009)

The Giants pitching was elite during their title runs, and as good as their starting pitching was, their bullpen was just as good.

Jeremy Affeldt, Santiago Casilla, Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo all played critical roles during the run, but it was Affeldt who put together the best season.

His 2009 was the best overall since Bochy arrived, posting a 2.6 WAR. It is fitting, as Affeldt also might have been the best pitcher when it mattered most.

In 74 appearances and 62 innings, Affeldt posted a 1.73 earned run average.

Romo posted a 1.7 WAR in middle relief in 2011 and Casilla posted a 1.6 WAR in 2010. Lopez best WAR season was 2015 at 1.5. It’s hard for relief pitchers to accumulate WAR with so few innings pitched compared to starters, but the Core Four’s impact goes well beyond numbers.

Their versatility, ability to be elite against specific batters, even go multiple innings at times, made them invaluable.

Closer – Brian Wilson (2010)

While Romo and Casilla stepped into the closer roles in 2012 and 2014, it all started with Brian Wilson.

“Weezy” was one of the best closers in team history and 2010 may have been his best year.

Not only did he post the highest overall WAR among relief pitchers at 2.8 during Bochy’s tenure, but he shut the door on Will Venable, Ryan Howard and Nelson Cruz to clinch the National League West, National League Championship Series and World Series.

His strikeouts will be remembered forever, and his strikeout of Cruz may go down as the greatest moment in San Francisco Giant history.

His 48 saves and 1.81 ERA led the way for one of the most improbable runs to a World Series we have ever seen. His personality seemed to fit the misfits perfectly and is a fitting closer for this all-time team.

Next. Bryce Harper Chooses the Philadelphia Phillies

So, to recap:

C – Buster Posey (2012)

1B – Aubrey Huff (2010)

2B – Joe Panik (2015)

SS – Brandon Crawford (2015)

3B – Juan Uribe (2009)

LF – Melky Cabrera (2012)

CF – Andres Torres – (2010)

RF – Randy Winn – (2008)

SP – Tim Lincecum (2008)

RP – Jeremy Affeldt (2009)

CL – Brian Wilson (2010)

This was based solely on wins above replacement, but who would you pick for your all-time Bruce Bochy team?

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