San Francisco Giants: 5 keys to success in 2020

The season is just three weeks old, but it’s never too early to start looking ahead to the 2020 season and how the San Francisco Giants can better position themselves.

Going into the 2019 season, analysts and fans alike doubted the San Francisco Giants chances of contending. The last time they reached the postseason was 2016, and the two seasons since have been frustrating, to say the least.

With an 8-12 record and a minus-9 run differential, the team has more or less performed to expectations thus far. The bats have been ice cold for most of the season, undermining a pitching staff and defense that has been more than respectable.

According to the latest postseason odds from FanGraphs, the Giants have a slim 1.6 percent chance of reaching the playoffs.

With that in mind, the best thing the front office can do is to start positioning themselves for the future. They can do this by no fooling themselves into thinking they have a realistic shot in 2019, working to maintain their strengths while improving their weaknesses.

The front office will have to be careful not to call up exciting young prospects too quickly. At the same time, if the team feels they’re ready, giving them an extended look this season could prove valuable next year.

The biggest question will be how to improve the offense.

They proved three times this decade that you do not need an offensive juggernaut to win a championship, but the possibility of contending with their current lineup is slim to none.

Big picture, the Giants are really not that far off from contending.

If they are able to make some key additions and their young talent develops as hoped, there’s a chance they could turn things around by next season.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at five ways the Giants can improve for 2020.