Kuzul

The Hot Stove was active this offseason with big free-agent signings and a handful of blockbuster trades. The purpose of such action, of course, is to improve a team’s chances of competing for a world championship.

One team that didn’t make waves this winter was San Francisco. Instead, the Giants focused on keeping their roster intact, and so they will be heading into 2013 with just about the same group that won it all in 2012.

This is just one of several reasons why the Giants may very well win their third World Series in four years.

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With nearly their entire World Series roster returning for the 2013 season, the San Francisco Giants have the luxury of allowing their top prospects to marinate in the minor leagues a bit longer. Frankly, it is better that way, since their farm system isn’t exactly ready to pop out a slew of major league stars.

But there are a few promising players, in particular an exciting outfielder—who could be contributing to the big club sometime this season.

Here is a look at San Francisco’s top prospect at each position. What this list doesn’t show is the imbalance in the minor league system, which has about two promising position players, compared to nearly a dozen starting pitchers with major league potential.

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It’s hard to believe that, after winning their second World Series in two years, the Giants would have much room for improvement heading into 2013.

But it could be argued that they won last season despite some of their best players struggling through the regular season. And how could anyone have predicted that the team that finished dead last in the major leagues in home runs would win it all?

But that is exactly what the Giants did, and now they’re entering the new season with just about the same roster as last season, and with the potential to improve in several areas.

Here are four reasons why the Giants will be better than ever in 2013. 

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The Dodgers have been spending big money this offseason, emboldened by the projected revenue of the organization’s next television contract.

Much of the loot has gone toward bolstering the starting rotation, which—despite featuring 2011 Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw—did not quite measure up to San Francisco’s group of five.

So in came the most desired free agent pitcher of this offseason, Zack Greinke, along with South Korean star Hyun-Jin Ryu. They will be joining Kershaw, Josh Beckett and either Chad Billingsley (depending on how well his elbow heals), Aaron Harang, Ted Lilly or Chris Capuano in the rotation.

The Giants, on the other hand, are not changing a thing. Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, Tim Lincecum, Ryan Vogelsong and Barry Zito will again comprise the rotation. 

And why not? Each started at least 31 games last season, and each has played a crucial role in one or both of San Franicsco’s two World Series titles.

So have the Dodgers done enough to surpass the Giants on the mound? Let’s take a look.

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ESPN used to run a commercial featuring a young couple having cutesy time on the couch. As unsavory as that image was to a sports fan just wanting to watch game highlights, the visual turned absolutely repugnant once the camera zoomed out to reveal the guy was wearing an Ohio State sweatshirt, while the girl was sporting her Michigan threads.

Just thinking about it makes you uncomfortable, right?

Now imagine a Giants fan and a Dodgers fan embracing on the couch, making out and whispering sweet nothings in each other’s ear. I don’t know about you, but I just threw up a little in my mouth.

Well, that is because the two fanbases don’t get along. In fact, they downright hate each other. They hate each other’s teams, their team colors, their hometowns and their regional vernacular. They even hate the air the other side breathes (with good reason, at least for Giants fans—LA air is filthy).

And it doesn’t help that the players in opposite dugouts hate each other, too, carrying on a rivalry that extends back to the New York days for both franchises.

The list of reasons why the two sides hate each other is seemingly endless, but here we’ll just look at five of the reasons Giants fans hate Dodgers fans so much.

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The Hot Stove is still in simmer mode, but offseason activity is beginning to pick up around the majors. About the only movement in San Francisco so far has been the Giants’ commitment to offering Hunter Pence arbitration.

But this should be a busy winter for the Giants, with nine free agents from this past season’s 40-man roster, an arbitration-eligible closer coming off Tommy John Surgery, and a need for another power bat in the lineup.

Here is a look at four players from the 2012 World Series champions who could be on the move this offseason.

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