Five Giants bold predictions, including big Joey Bart season, trade splash

Last year I predicted Austin Slater would hit more home runs than in his previous four seasons combined. Duane Kuiper predicted double-digit homer for Heliot Ramos, who didn't make his debut.

Joey Bart will have a big season for the Giants. Brandon Crawford will win an MVP award. LaMonte Wade Jr. will be the most clutch player in baseball. The Giants will take the NL West by winning 107 games. They will end the Belt Wars with an electrical tape 'C' on Brandon Belt's chest.

Mike Yastrzemski is 31 and healthy. He hit 25 home runs and won a Gold Glove in right field last season. Yastsrzeski has struggled with injuries and against left-handed pitchers. The Giants have only two right-handers and Yats is the best bet to handle same-side pitchers well.

Thairo Estrada will win the Chris Taylor Award in 2022. He was one of the Yankees' top prospects before he was shot in the hip and got limited time for them. The Giants signed him for cash considerations last April. He posted a .813 OPS and hit seven homers in 52 games. Max Muncy, Mike Yastrzemski and LaMonte Wade Jr. have won the award in previous years.

Joey Bart is a frontrunner to win the NL Rookie of the Year award. He has all-fields power and should be in the Opening Day lineup. Bart has grown a lot behind the plate in last two years. He is more confident and at home in a big league clubhouse.

The Giants finished third last year. They were half a run behind the Dodgers. Logan Webb will start the season at the top of the rotation. Alex Cobb takes over for Johnny Cueto. The rotation is good when healthy. The team has enough depth behind them that the overall numbers shouldn't take a massive hit when guys need a breather or go on the Injured List.

Farhan Zaidi and Scott Harris think the Giants are set up to repeat the Kris Bryant trade. They have a good farm system and can easily take on a lot of money at the deadline. The new crop of young outfielders is emerging this spring. They also have the rotation and bullpen to hang in the race for an expanded postseason. There are plenty of options to bolster the lineup in July without having to take a wrecking ball to the farm.