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 diehard 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.