Giant Letdown?

Fans and talking heads in these parts are already yapping about what the Giants need to do for next season. The universal opinion seems to always come back to getting a "premier bat" to fill what has been a giant void in the club's lineup. But when the conversation turns to dangling one of the Giants' two young aces -- Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum -- the response is always a definitive "no way you can let either one of those guys go."

I've got news for the Giants faithful: Any team willing to give up a "premier bat" is going to want something of equal value in return. Translation: A good, young, established arm.

My first instinct is to keep the two aces and accept the fact that your "premier bat" will have to be Pablo Sandoval. Stick "The Panda" in the three hole and build your lineup around him. As amazing a rookie season he is having, he has the potential to be much better still.

As far as who stays and who goes, the most practical direction in my mind is:

• Dump Edgar Renteria and his $8 million salary; keep Juan Uribe as your everyday shortstop
• Dump Ryan Garko and give Travis Ishikawa another year to evolve
• Dump the high-priced Randy Winn and make Nate Schierholtz your everyday right fielder
• Keep Freddy Sanchez -- he'll be healthier and better next year
• Keep Aaron Rowand -- he's a hustler, a grinder and a good example for younger players to follow

So here's your 2010 Giants lineup: 1, Eugenio Velez, LF. 2, Freddy Sanchez, 2B. 3, Pablo Sandoval, 3B. 4, Juan Uribe, SS. 5, Bengie Molina, C. 6, Aaron Rowand, CF. 7, Nate Schierholtz, RF. 8, Travis Ishikawa, 1B. 9, Tim Lincecum, P.

Those who are clamoring for Jermaine Dye -- sorry, folks, he's not a "premier bat," he's on the downside of a decent career and he's just not the answer.