The extent of my baseball experience and knowledge comes courtesy of two seasons playing first base in a slo-pitch softball league. So this is a genuine question from someone who's knowledgeable about baseball, but can't really get into the nitty-gritty details of pitching and hitting strategy...how do we get more offense? Just a little bit, an ever-so little bit, more punch at the plate?

I thought last year's offense was hard to watch. This year I can't even stand looking at box scores. So in search of answers I present to my fellow McCovey Covers the following questions as we all search for a better result on the scoreboard...

1. I know that Barry Bonds thing worked out well starting in 1993. But part of me is really, really nervous about signing big-name free agents to long-term deals. See Rowand, Aaron and Zito, Barry. When do Zito, Rowand and any other bloated contracts come off our books, and what would be the best way to spend that extra money?

2. Nobody knew how good Tom Brady was until a freak injury to Drew Bledsoe. I keep looking around our farm system thinking there has to be three position players SOMEWHERE who can make better contributions that half our current line-up. At what point to we give younger players a chance when a veteran hasn't hit his stride two months into the season?

3. How long do you think we can keep our current starting pitchers together and performing at this high of level? Atlanta achieved a high level for a decade. Can we afford to waste another one or two seasons with a mediocre offense and still expect to contend for a championship in the next five-plus years?

I hope these questions aren't too elementary...I'm just trying to wrap my arms around what has to happen before our offense can be even just average.