From the darkness came the glow of right-hander Tim Lincecum, and all was not lost. Lincecum gave fans hope and a Cy Young season, the first in San Francisco in 41 years.

With catcher Buster Posey, corner infielder Angel Villalona and pitchers Madison Bumgarner and Tim Alderson listed as top prospects, the Giants finally seem to have a well-rounded farm system. New managing general partner Bill Neukom seems OK with a youth-oriented approach to the future.

In reality, 2010 has been ticketed as the season in which the Giants would make a splash, but anything's possible in 2009, especially in the mediocre NL West.

To address their needs, the Giants signed four players: shortstop Edgar Renteria (to replace Omar Vizquel), starter Randy Johnson (to complement Lincecum, Matt Cain, Barry Zito and maybe Jonathan Sanchez) and relievers Jeremy Affeldt and Bobby Howry (to set up All-Star closer Brian Wilson).

The pitching might be the best in the division, but the Giants haven't added a 3-4-5 hitter with pop, so low-scoring games are expected to be the norm again.

General manager Brian Sabean said he's still open to adding a big hitter. Of course, Manny Ramirez would make the biggest impact, but other bats remain available. If the Giants stand pat, they'll need to grind out their runs because they can't sit back and wait for three-run homers.

In spring training, the front office has plenty to keep its eye on.

The Giants must decide if Travis Ishikawa can be the first baseman. Kevin Frandsen, Emmanuel Burriss and Eugenio Velez will compete at second base. Pablo Sandoval, appointed the third baseman, is heading into his first full season. Left-hander Noah Lowry (forearm and elbow surgeries) and left fielder Fred Lewis (bunion surgery) have medical issues.

In year two of the post-Bonds era, the Giants are talking about making a run at the playoffs. But they haven't had a winning team in four years, so they've got a lot of proving to do.

WHERE, WHEN: Scottsdale Stadium, Scottsdale, Ariz. First exhibition game is Feb. 25 against Cleveland in Goodyear, Ariz.

TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: 1B Travis Ishikawa isn't well-known, but he's projected as a regular in 2009. The Giants plan to start corner infielder Pablo Sandoval at third, and they like that Ishikawa is a solid defender, maybe the best in the organization at first base since J.T. Snow. The question is whether he'll hit. The Giants are optimistic about that after his breakout 2008 season in which he batted a combined .299 with 24 homers and 94 RBIs at Class AA and Class AAA. Ishikawa hit .274 with three homers and 15 RBIs in 33 games in the majors.

TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: SS Edgar Renteria, 33, is coming off a sketchy season in Detroit and received a two-year, $18.5 million contract from the Giants, who are hoping his second-half numbers (.296 average, .343 on-base percentage) and not his first-half numbers (.254, .301) are indicative. Also, the Giants liked the fact Renteria is a .293 hitter in the NL as opposed to .274 in the AL.

AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Bruce Bochy is 143-181 in two years with the Giants and entering the final season of his contract, so it's important for him (and GM Brian Sabean, who also has one year left on his deal) to get off to a quick start. Bill Neukom is the new managing general partner, replacing Peter Magowan, and he appears patient with the philosophy of developing players through the system, which could serve as a benefit to Bochy (and Sabean) in case the Giants struggle.