if you fast forward to the offseason...

The only givens are CF, SS, and 3B. Rowand, Renteria and Pablo (and he could be at 1st or C, though C seems very unlikely).

Personally, I think Nate's going to claim RF.

Let's say Posey is fast tracked and is the starting Catcher in 2010.

Now, with the exception of maybe Pablo it doesn't seem like any of those guys are number 4 hitters. Posey, Nate, Rowand (they pay him like one), Renteria, and Pablo.

But, the good news is that the power positions are free: LF and 1B. And they don't have a 2b.

But look at the Free agents (link below):

None of the first basemen look appealing. Adam LaRoche is like the best of the bunch, at least he has hit 4th before.

2nd, not surprisingly, doesn't have any number 4 hitters either, some nice players though, like Freddy Sanchez, DeRosa, Hudson, Iwamura and Polanco.

So what about an outfielder? Nevermind that most of the prospects that could hit 4th in the future are OFers, Bowker, Neal, Kieschnick.

Jason Bay is the best of the bunch. Followed by Holliday. And then some older guys like Dye and Vlad (who's pretty much done). The best value, if he opts out would be Carl Crawford, also not a 4 hitter.

So what does this mean? The Giants have 3 options:
Overpay for Bay or Holliday or maybe sign Dye for a year or two.
Trade for a number 4 hitter
or go without until someone emerges from the farm system.

And if option 2 is on the table, should they try and get that guy now or wait until the offseason.

And if 3 is the preferred route, are the scouts confident enough in the guys in the system now? Does Villalona just need one more year? Is Neal for real? etc.

Or, does this team have the pitching to get away with not having a real number 4 hitter?