SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The San Francisco Giants sold out 530 straight games before their streak ended in July, and they feel obliged to put a competitive product on the field for all those die-hard ticket holders by the bay. Even in rough years, the Giants are committed to staying the course rather than selling off big-name assets, punting on contention and pacifying the fan base with prospects and sumptuous garlic fries at AT&T Park.
That approach failed to yield positive results in 2017, when the Giants finished last in the National League West for the first time since 2007.