UP NEXT WAIT AND SEE

QUESTIONS FOR THE GIANTS DURING PART TWO OF SEASON

Heading into the month of June, the last-place San Francisco Giants appeared destined to sell off their veteran assets prior to the trade deadline and offer more opportunities to unproven or inexperienced players during the second half.

That still might happen, but a 19-14 stretch and a 7-2 run heading into the All-Star break has temporarily forced president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi to reconsider.

How can you break up a team playing its best ball of the season? Zaidi will either wait until the Giants regress or watch as they surge up the standings. Giants (S. Anderson 3-2) at Brewers (C. Anderson 4-2), today, 5:10 p.m., NBCBA

Here’s 10 questions the Giants must answer during the second half of the season, which starts today at Milwaukee? 1. Where will Madison Bumgarner spend the last two months?

The story of the second half starts and ends with Madison Bumgarner, whose tenure with the Giants could be coming to an end. With three weeks to go before the trade deadline, it’s still unclear whether the Giants will receive an offer that makes them seriously consider parting with one of the franchise’s legends.

2. Is this the new Buster Posey?

After undergoing season-ending hip surgery in August, 2018, Posey was expected to hit for more power in 2019. Instead, his power numbers are insignificant and his average and on-base percentage are drastically lower than they were a season ago. Posey may not have been completely healthy to start the year, but he’ll need to have a much better second half to give Giants fans hope regarding his future.

3. Will Brandon Crawford be an everyday player beyond this season?

Crawford has two seasons left on his contract after this year, but without a strong second half, it’s possible Zaidi will look to find a platoon partner for one of the most beloved Giants players this offseason. Crawford’s 68 weighted runs created plus (wrC+) is tied with teammate Joe Panik for the third-worst mark among qualifiers and his .635 OPS is more than 60 points below his career average. He’s shown signs of improvement of late, but a hamstring injury kept him off the field for much of the final week before the break.

4. Will the Brandon Belt wars stay this heated?

There’s a famous divide among Giants fans when it comes to first baseman Brandon Belt, a Gold Glove-caliber defender and an analytics darling. Some fans see Belt’s high strikeout total and low average and wonder why he’s not producing more. Others look at his team-best on-base percentage and OPS and believe he’s the most valuable hitter in the Giants lineup. In 2019, his average is bordering on a career low, but his onbase percentage is one of the highest marks he’s ever posted.

5. Did Evan Longoria find a permanent solution for his swing?

The Giants haven’t had many Player of the Week candidates, but Longoria thrust himself into that conversation with five home runs in the six games leading up to the break. He’s right around league average in a few key offensive categories and if he can continue swinging like he did last week, the Giants may not need to be as concerned about their long-term future at the hot corner.

6. How much longer will Pablo Sandoval be a Giant?

It might seem cruel for the Giants to trade Sandoval, one of manager Bruce Bochy’s favorite players, ahead of the deadline and it’s unlikely they’ll do so unless the return is significant. However, it’s increasingly clear Sandoval could be a valuable backup corner infielder in 2020 and he’ll come at a low cost. Is Zaidi open to keeping Sandoval beyond Bochy’s final year?

7. Is this the end for Joe Panik with the franchise?

Panik is arbitration- eligible this offseason, but it’s unlikely the Giants would be willing to pay him more than the $3.8 million he’s earning this year. Panik controls the strike zone well and puts the ball in play, but he hasn’t hit for average in three of his past four seasons and doesn’t provide Zaidi with any kind of defensive versatility.

8. How will the Giants bullpen hold up without Will Smith?

The Giants can justify hanging onto Bumgarner at this year’s deadline, but there’s almost no argument for keeping Smith unless the team is in the thick of a playoff race come July 31. The Giants wouldn’t have much of a case to hang onto any valuable assets if not for Smith, who is a perfect 23 for 23 in save situations and has closed out 15- one run ballgames. Can anyone replace his value?

9. Is Jeff Samardzija turning a corner?

With just two earned runs allowed in his final 15 innings before the All-Star break, Samardzija is throwing as well as he has since his first season with the Giants in 2016. His velocity may never come back, but Samardzija is proving his 2018 shoulder injury is completely behind him. If he rounds out the season in strong form, Samardzija may have some trade value this winter.

10. Will Kevin Pillar break the Giants’ 20-home run season drought?

Since being traded to San Francisco in early April, Pillar has been the Giants’ top run producer and one of the team’s best sources of power. He’s assumed the everyday role in center field and if he sticks with the club beyond the trade deadline, Pillar may have the best chance of becoming the first Giants player to hit 20 home runs since Brandon Crawford did so in 2015. With 12 heading into the break and the ability to turn on pitches at Oracle Park, Pillar has been a joy for Giants fans to watch.

JANE TYSKA — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Madison Bumgarner has spent his entire 11-year career with the Giants, who could decide to deal the left-hander at the trade deadline.

JOSE CARLOS FAJARDO — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER A big question for the Giants is whether Pablo Sandoval, in his second stint with the club, will remain beyond this season.

NHAT V. MEYER — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Second baseman Joe Panik has played six seasons in a Giants uniform, but this could be his last as he becomes arbitration-eligible.