The Giants brought back one big piece of their 2012 World Series title-winning puzzle when they agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Jeremy Affeldt.
And they're reportedly "optimistic" about bringing back another big piece as well, as Marco Scutaro looks like he could be back in the fold with San Francisco for 2013 and the future.
According to Hank Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants like their chances on bringing the NLCS MVP back on a two-year deal.
Scutaro is 36 and not exactly known an offensive force, but he was a big part of the Giants run down the stretch and an even bigger part of what the Giants did during the playoffs.
In the 61 games that Scutaro played for the Giants in the regular season after coming over from Colorado, he hit .362/.385/.859 with three home runs and 44 RBI. Extrapolate those numbers across a full season and there's no question he played his best baseball at his age for San Francisco.
He destroyed the Cardinals in the NLCS and was a big-time emotional leader for the Giants throughout the playoffs. It was perfectly fitting that he hit the title-clinching single against the Tigers.
His offense drew most of the attention during the season, but his defense went a long way as well. Scutaro, even at his age, shores up the Giants infield and provides them increasing flexibility around the diamond.
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Bringing him back for two years, provided it's at a relatively cheap cost, is a smart move for Brian Sabean. The deal isn't too long or too prohibitive to sink the Giants and maybe Scutaro will figure out a way to keep his mojo going.
It seems tough at his age, but then again, no one expected what he brought to the table in 2011 either.
