Cactus League countdown: S.F. Giants

Plenty of major league teams spent the winter wheeling and dealing, laying the foundation for rebuilding or angling for that missing piece or two. Not the San Francisco Giants. Their biggest acquisitions of the offseason came via the disabled list. When the Giants arrive in Scottsdale for Cactus League they'll have catcher Buster Posey and second baseman Freddy Sanchez back in uniform, giving them a close resemblance to the team they felt could repeat as World Series champions in 2011. The Giants' hopes of a repeat were crippled by one injury after another, but none was as devastating as the broken left leg and three torn ankle ligaments Posey suffered in a home plate collision with Florida's Scott Cousins on May 25. The injury left the the Giants without their starting catcher, cleanup hitter and invaluable leader for two thirds of the season. Posey is expected to gradually work his way back to live action during Cactus League games, with the hope that he'll be back behind the plate full-time when the regular season begins. Sanchez is recovering from a shoulder injury that cost him more than half the 2011 season. He, too, will be using the Cactus League to work his way back to game-ready condition for Opening Day. Outfielder Nate Schierholtz and third baseman Pablo Sandoval also battled injuries last season, and the Giants will have their fingers crossed for an injury-free spring. The Giants haven't stood entirely pat in their quest to regain control of the National League West from the Diamondbacks. While their off-season moves were few, they were not insignificant. With rental outfielder Carlos Beltran relocating to St. Louis, the Giants dealt from their pitching depth by sending Jonathan Sanchez to Kansas City for outfielder Melky Cabrera. Cabrera, just 27, put up the best numbers of his career in 2011, hitting .305 with 87 RBI, 18 home runs and a .339 on-base percentage. While Cabrera spent most of his time patroling center field for Kansas City, he likely will slide over to one of the corner to make room in center for Angel Pagan, who came over in a trade with the Mets. Both are quality defenders, but Pagan, 30, has more speed and will be a welcome base-stealing threat in the lineup. The infield also got some reinforcement with the signing of veteran Ryan Theriot. He provides insurance for Sanchez at second base and young shorstop Brandon Crawford. There was no need for any such tinkering with the pitching staff. Tim Lincecum, working with a new two-year contract, heads a strong rotation that returns Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner and Ryan Vogelsong. Brian Wilson and Sergio Romo remain the leaders of a dominant bullpen. The Giants come to Arizona thinking they're a better team than they were this time a year ago, when they were defending world champs. With the return of Posey and a few well-placed additions, they are eager to bury 2011 as a lost season and get started on a return to the top. Whos new: Melky Cabrera, OF (trade, Kansas City); Angel Pagan, OF (trade, Mets); Ryan Theriot, IF (free agent); Clay Hensley, RP (free agent). Whos gone: Carlos Beltran, OF (free agent, St. Louis); Jonathan Sanchez, SP (trade, Kansas City); Cody Ross, OF (free agent, Boston); Aaron Rowand, OF (free agent, Miami); Mark DeRosa, IF (free agent, Washington); Ramon Ramirez, RP (trade, Mets); Andres Torres, OF (trade, Mets); Pat Burrell, OF (retired); Orlando Cabrera, SS (retired). Battle grounds: The most intriguing position battle in Giants camp spans the entire outfield. San Francisco acquired two center fielders in Cabrera and Pagan, and the most likely scenario is that Cabrera will move to one of the corners. With left-hand hitting incumbent Nate Schierholtz having a loose hold on the starting job in right, left field seems the most logical for Cabrera. But Brandon Belt will be trying to hit his way into the lineup, and he could be an option in left if he's unable dislodge the maddeningly inconsistent Aubrey Huff at first base. Huff, too, could shift back to left field, making no shortage of options and combinations for manager Bruce Bochy. Following Orlando Cabrera's retirement, 25-year-old Brandon Crawford gets first crack at being the every-day shortstop. But if the left-hand hitting Crawford can't hit consistently, Theriot is a fallback option as a platoon partner or regular. Health watch: Posey has been working tirelessly to rehab the left leg he broke and expects to be ready to go with the start of Cactus League games. That's an excellent sign for his health, but the Giants will likely want to ease him in gradually. Sanchez is progressing in rehabbing the shoulder injury that cost him most of 2011 but might be a little behind in spring training. Schierholtz missed the end of August and all of September in 2011 with a hairline fracture in his right foot. He should be set for spring camp but will need to play well to hang onto the right field job. Sneak preview: Gary Brown, the Giants' top prospect and first-round pick in 2010, impressed last season at the high Single-A level. The 23-year-old outfielder hit .336 with 53 stolen bases and a .407 on-base percentage. He had 14 home runs and 80 RBI in 131 games. With that kind of offensive pop and tremendous speed, he'll be exciting to watch but is probably a season or two away from the majors. Closer prospect Heath Hembree earned himself an invite to major league camp after notching 38 saves between Single-A and Double-A last season. The 23-year-old right-hander was a fifth-round draft pick in 2010 and might just make it to San Francisco in 2011, though he doesn't figure to close games anytime soon as long as Wilson is still around. Spring training info: Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale. First workouts Feb. 19 (pitchers and catchers), Feb. 24 (full squad). First game: March 3. Tickets: sfgiants.com or (877) 473-4849.