During their offseason spending spree, the San Francisco Giants focused on the starting rotation. They also made an effort, by signing Denard Span, to strengthen their outfield defense while adding some speed at the top of their order. But Span has not produced as hoped. He isn’t hitting enough, nor is he stealing many bases.
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Throughout the Majors, the role of the leadoff hitter has been in the state of flux the past couple years, with some organizations turning to slower on-base machines or even going with power hitters, such as what Cleveland is doing with Carlos Santana.