The leadoff spot is troublesome. Maybe Melky can do it, maybe not. If he's anything like last year we have an improvement over last year in center, offensively anyway. Compared to 2010 Torres, I'm not so sure. I'm guessing this spot remains an issue all year.

The two spot is a question mark. If Freddy is recovered, we're okay. Keppinger is still in the mix. I dunno though. I love Freddy when he's healthy, but he just isn't very often. It's hard to say how this would compare to 2010. If Kepp is still around we're definitely deeper than in 2010.

Pablo: I expect big things. He's working out hard, just went from 20/40 to 20/20 in his left eye, which should improve his right-handed hitting. He's excellent defensively. Anyone would want him in the middle of their order. That was not the case in 2010.

Posey: Well, there's the obvious question about whether the ankle will affect his hitting, but I think he comes back strong and becomes the guy we knew in 2010 at some point in the season. The question is when. Remember, we only had him for part of the 2010 year.

Huff: I figure him to be somewhere between 2010 and last year, but closer to 2010. He has a lot to play for this year and knows if he isn't ready he won't be playing any more. Ever.

Schierholtz: If he keeps making progress he adds a lot. He made big strides in his hitting last year, and they were in things like pitch selection and not trying to do too much. Cut down some holes in his swing. I'm mildly optimistic that he'll be an improvement over 2010 in right field except for Ross' short time playing out of his mind (and yes, that was a huge part of the success).

Belt. A left-handed potential power bat we did not have in 2010, if he finally gets it. A better defensive player either in left or at first than we had in 2010. He's a big wild card in my opinion. If he starts to realize his potential, we're in much better shape than if he doesn't.

Crawford (or some other guy at short who I hope is no older than 30): won't produce the power numbers that Uribe did in 2010, but if he can hit .250 and add a fair number of walks I'll take it. His defense makes the left side of the infield way better than that 2010 team.

Missing, of course, will be the 20 homers, many very clutch, and steady clubhouse presence of Burrell. Someone will need to pick up the slack there. But If Belt comes through and Pablo is what I think he'll be, those two guys alone make this offense potentially a better one than 2010. And if Posey is Posey again, it's considerably better.

I'd love to get another hitter. Beltran seems the most in reach, but if they aren't going above $130M I don't see it happening.