Giants are contenders - get used to it

All off season, as the Giants made their moves, I thought, "well, maybe they'll be a .500 team... at least a little fun to watch"

Looks like they are going to be more than that.

I hadn't prepared for Pablo Sandoval to contend for the batting title at mid-season and Matt Cain to break out. All the pieces seem to be falling together for the team, who just knocked around Chris Carpenter for six runs in five innings en route to a third straight win on the road.

The team has the second best record in the NL, is 6 games behind the Dodgers.

Bruce Jenkins broke down the Giants competition - and they appear to be in the best shape.

So with more than enough pitching, good defense, and a line up that seems to be one bat away from serious run production, the trade market is heating up.

The Giants have been linked to scouting Victor Martinez and Jermaine Dye. Both fill needs - a power hitting presence to insert in the middle of the line up, and are signed beyond this season.

Buster Olney seems to think the Giants and White Sox aren't a match for a trade - I agree considering Dye is old and the White Sox aren't out of it.

On the other hand, the Indians are terrible and aren't going anywhere soon. Martinez is only locked up through next season, and he seems to be a perfect fit. Imagine sliding right between Sandoval and Big Money Molina, solidifying the line up for the rest of the season, and next.

The problem is he wont be cheap- so if he is going to cost a Buster Posey or another top prospect, it will likely be hands off.

Another potential target: Purely speculation by Andrew Baggarly, throwing Mark Tehean's name out there. I like him because he wouldn't break the bank, is a good hitter with a little pop, and will likely take up Fred Lewis or Rich Aurilia's roster spot.

In the end, I think an upgrade is necessary - whether it is to improve the bench, or the starting line up - because the team looks for real. But if they don't add a bat, a prolonged slump by Molina or Sandoval could drop the team in the standings. Plus, with GM Brian Sabean in the last year of his deal, he sure would look smart pulling a playoff birth out of his hat when no one expected them to make it.