The Numbers

Record: 90-72, .556 (8th overall) Expected record*: 87-75 Runs scored: 799, 5th in NL Runs allowed: 748, 9th in NL Run differential: +51 (10th overall) Starters' ERA: 4.26, 7th in NL Bullpen ERA: 4.06, 10th in NL Payroll (Opening Day): $63.3 million (15th overall) Local broadcast revenue: $17.2 million (15th overall) Attendance: 3.31 million (2nd overall) 3-year record: 273-213, .562 (7th overall) 5-year record: 452-359, .557 (5th overall) * based on runs scored and runs allowed

2001 in review
What went right?
Russ Ortiz led the Giants with 17 wins while also posting an impressive 3.29 ERA. Robb Nen recorded a career high 45 saves, including 15 of his last 16 save opportunities. For the second straight season, Felix Rodriguez was fantastic as Nen's primary set-up man, posting a career-low 1.68 ERA in 80 appearances. After coming over to the Giants from the Pirates in a deadline deal, Jason Schmidt was 7-1 with a 3.39 ERA in 11 starts. Rich Aurilia reached career highs in nearly all offensive categories, including home runs (37), RBI (97) and batting average (.324). And last, but certainly not least, Barry Bonds set the single-season record with 73 home runs. He also broke Babe Ruth's single-season slugging record, which had held since 1920, with an .863 mark and Ruth's walks record, which had held since 1923, with 177 free passes. Not to be forgotten, Bonds also became the first player to win four MVP awards.

What went wrong?
Despite winning 90 games and finishing with the fourth-best record in the National League (90-72), the Giants failed to qualify for the postseason. After going 7-3 with a 3.51 ERA in the first half, Shawn Estes slumped to 2-5, 4.88 in the second half. Despite having the luxury of hitting behind Bonds, Jeff Kent's numbers dropped off significantly from his MVP season of 2000. Rookie third baseman Pedro Feliz failed to live up to his hype (.227-7-22) and was primarily used as a bench player.

In retrospect, the critical decisions were:
1. Bonds went into the 2001 season in the final year of his contract. What he did was arguably put together the single-best individual season in big-league history. And he did so beginning the year at age 36.

2. Going into the season with the tandem of Russ Davis and Feliz manning the hot corner. Davis played in just 53 games before getting released. Feliz never became a regular and showed little when given an opportunity to play.

3. Not re-signing Ellis Burks. While Burks was overpaid by the Indians (a three-year, $20 million deal), the Giants definitely missed his bat in the lineup. Armando Rios, John Vander Wal, Shawon Dunston and Eric Davis all took their turns in right field, but never provided the consistent production that is sorely needed out of a middle-of-the-lineup hitter.

Looking ahead to 2002
Three key questions
1. Will free-agent signee Reggie Sanders fill the offensive void in right field for the Giants they lacked in 2001?

2. Will a full season having Schmidt in the starting rotation be a big boost to the staff?

3. Will Benito Santiago, who will turn 37 on March 9, be able to catch close to the 133 games he did last season? The Giants hope he doesn't have to (he slowed down in the second half of last season, hitting just .237 after the All-Star break), but are unsure 25-year-old second-year man Edwards Guzman will be able to handle more playing time. The Giants are also high on rookie Yorvit Torrealba, who will be given a chance to win the backup job in spring training.

Stats Corner
Rich Aurilia (above) led the National League with 206 hits and also led all NL shortstops with 37 home runs and 97 RBI. Robb Nen topped the NL with 45 saves and also held the opposition to a .203 batting average against. Led by Barry Bonds' record-breaking 73 home runs, the Giants led the NL with 235 homers. Giants pitchers allowed the fewest homers in the NL (145). Livan Hernandez had eight straight hits and went 12-for-13 at one point in August. His 24 hits were the most of any major-league pitcher. Giants leadoff hitters ranked eighth in the majors in runs (113), but just 23rd in on-base percentage (.315).

Can expect to play better
With the addition of Sanders to hit behind him along with Bonds batting in front of him, Kent could very well return -- if not come very close -- to his form of 2000 (.334-33-125).

Can expect to play worse
If ever there was a player you would expect to play worse it would be Bonds. But even if he does, he still might put up numbers many other players can only dream of. Aurilia could also be due for a bit of a decline.

Projected lineup
CF Tsuyoshi Shinjo / Marvin Benard
SS Rich Aurilia
LF Barry Bonds
2B/1B Jeff Kent
RF Reggie Sanders
1B J.T. Snow / 2B Ramon Martinez
3B David Bell
C Benito Santiago

Rotation
Russ Ortiz
Jason Schmidt
Livan Hernandez
Kirk Rueter
Kurt Ainsworth / Ryan Jensen

Closer
Robb Nen

A closer look
It was a contract that even as early as last offseason would likely not have been signed, especially by a player the caliber of Barry Bonds. But for a variety of reasons -- the biggest apparently being his age -- there weren't many takers for Bonds this offseason. He decided to stay with the Giants, agreeing to a five-year, $90 million contract on Jan. 14.

That deal could turn out to be a steal for the Giants, even as Bonds turns past 40 during the contract.

Why such a great deal for San Francisco?

While the contract does make Bonds the fourth-highest paid player in terms of average annual value ($18 million per season), the fifth year of the deal (2006, when Bonds will be 41) isn't guaranteed unless Bonds has 500 or more plate appearances in the prior season (2005). Thus, unless Bonds meets incentives he's only guaranteed $72 million over four years (and the $72 million isn't paid over just the next four seasons as there are deferred payments written into the contract).

But if Bonds does have 500 or more plate appearances in 2005 it very likely means he will still be a productive player who might just be closing in on -- if not already broken -- Hank Aaron's all-time home run record. Bonds currently has 567 career home runs, 188 shy of Aaron's record of 755. He needs to average just under 38 home runs over the next five years to break Aaron's record.

And while it's crazy to think Bonds will put together another season like he did last year, it's not crazy -- barring an unforeseen injury or injuries -- to think he'll be able to put on a heck of a run over the next five years in an attempt to become baseball's all-time home run king.

The Giants for some time now have claimed to be a club that can only exist on a mid-market budget ($60-$70 million payroll range). While the money they will pay Bonds over the next four years or five years is on the high end of player salaries at the present time, the structure of the contract shouldn't prevent the Giants from remaining a competitive team by surrounding Bonds with other top talent. And this offseason was a perfect example of that as along with re-signing Bonds, the Giants also re-signed pitcher Jason Schmidt (four years, $30 million) and signed outfielder Reggie Sanders (one year, $2.25 million).

So, kudos to Giants owner Peter Magowan and Co. for keeping Bonds in the fold for what should be the remainder of his career. While Bonds' contract isn't chump change, it will be an afterthought if Bonds comes close to duplicating his 2001 numbers in the coming years.

And just think if home run No. 756 comes while Bonds is wearing a Giants uniform: you better believe Magowan and Co. will also cash in from all the attention.

Matt Szefc is the assistant baseball editor at ESPN.com.