The Giants need more out of shortstop Edgar Renteria if they are to make a legit playoff run. Renteria has played in 84 games this season for the Giants and he is 80 for 317 (.252 avg, .624 OPS) with 36 runs scored, 2 homers, 39 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. The Giants need Renteria to start hitting the ball like he can so that they quit wasting good pitching.

Omar Vizquel is probably the best defensive shortstop in the history of baseball and he’s still very good with the glove but he hasn’t been able to help the team at all with his bat. He’s starting to look like he can’t help the Giants anymore and they would be smart to let him go right now so they can see what rookie Emmanuel Burress can do. Vizquel has played in 54 games this season for the Giants and he is 32 for 171 (.187 avg, .472 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 12 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Burress has been effective when he gets to play and the Giants’ need to see what their young players can do. 23-year old switch hitting Burress has played in 55 games this season for the Giants and he is 35 for 125 (.280 avg, .669 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 7 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Vizquel might very well be a Hall of Famer some day but the time has appeared to come for him to hang up the spikes.

Ray Durham has been awful the second half of the season.  In 48 games since the All-Star Break, Durham is 24 for 157 (.153 avg, .502 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 3 homers and 18 RBIs!  For the season, Durham has now played in 126 games and he is hitting .216 (.646 OPS) with 56 runs scored, 11 homers and 64 RBIs.  Watch Durham closely the next couple of weeks because the Giants would be nuts to re-sign him for 2008.

Omar Vizquel, Pedro Feliz and Dave Roberts all need to get their acts into gear in the 2nd half.  Omar Vizquel is still great in the field but he’s starting to look his age as a hitter.  He is hitting only .235 with 29 runs scored, 2 homers, 22 RBIs and 8 stolen bases.  Vizquel has been dropped in the order and the only way for him to get back to the top is by hitting the baseball better and more often.  Dave Roberts has been pretty awful when healthy this season for the Giants who gave him a pretty generous contract in the off season.  Roberts is only hitting .226 with 29 runs scored, 2 homers, 9 RBIs and 17 stolen bases this season.  He must do a better job in the 2nd half of the season or the Giants will continue having trouble scoring runs.  The Giants need Pedro Feliz to get his stroke back soon.  He is hitting .234 with 29 runs scored, 12 homers and 36 RBIs so far.  If he doesn’t start hitting soon look for Rich Aurilia to start stealing some of Feliz’ playing time.

Omar Vizquel has side-stepped Father Time for the last few years but it seems like it’s starting to catch up to him at the plate.  In 41 games this season, Vizquel is 37 for 155 (.239 avg, .556 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 12 RBIs and 3 stolen bases.  Vizquel is still a magician in the field so the Giants will continue to play him even if he doesn’t hit, but they will drop him in the batting order.