What Now?

As the Giants find new ways to lose and disappoint an increasingly despondent fan base, the games are becoming excruciating to watch, writes Henry Schulman. The G-Men are offering little resistance to one of the worst teams in baseball, and it finally seems that the distractions have caught up with Barry Bonds. Though desperate to come back to the club, catcher Mike Matheny is finding it difficult to watch the team. "I try to watch the games as much as I can. It wears me out emotionally as much as it does physically." Tell me about it, Mike. At least his replacement, Eliezer Alfonzo, decided to show up for the road trip.

While the present seems bleak, there is always the future. John Shea considers a Felipe Alou-less Giants.

The acquisition of sage reliever Mike Stanton would suggest that the Giants are still planning to challenge for the NL West crown. Are there any other deals out there for the Giants? As GM Brian Sabean mulls over his options, Kevin Baxter ponders the wisdom of the midseason shakeup. At least one man is not happy about the Stanton acquisition, which led to the demotion of lefty Jonathan Sanchez and his 1.37 ERA for more seasoning. Here's hoping that we do see Benito again, albeit not behind the plate in a Giants uniform.

If the Giants are going to make a play before tomorrow's trade deadline, don't count on a move for former San Francisco hurler, Salomon Torres. The ex-Giant ex-phenom wants no part of a deal that would send him back to the Bay. Clashes with Bonds in San Francisco created trying times for the young pitcher; apparently, he cried himself to sleep many nights. Well, Salomon, let's just say it's a two-way street. Torres famously ruined one of the greatest Giants seasons and pennant races of all-time on the last day of the 1993 season. It's safe to say that not all Giants fans are eager to relive the days of Salomon Torres.