In a time when most people are focusing on the Super Bowl odds and the NFL in general, a few minor baseball signings don’t exactly steal the headlines.

The San Francisco Giants, who won the championship in their sport recently, are working hard to keep their World Series winning team intact. For the most part, they have a young core and if they can keep a few key cogs together, they could be in line to compete for many coming seasons.

The Giants had six players that were due for arbitration but fans – and the players – are happy to hear that the mediator won’t be necessary. Cody Ross was signed for $6.3 million, Jonathan Sanchez was signed for $4.3, Javier Lopez received $2.375 million, Andres Torres signed for $2.1 million, Ramon Ramirez got $1.65 million and Santiago Casilla got $1.3 million.

The good news is all of them will be back but some fans are wondering how come Ross, the NLCS MVP, didn’t get a longer contract. In the postseason, both he and the front office spoke of their hopes to make his stay a little more permanent than just a one-year offering.

Nonetheless, the Giants payroll has ballooned quite quickly after the winter meetings. Last season’s team had a payroll of $100 million but the 2011 team will be much closer to $120 million. But with all of the team’s starting pitchers returning and most of the core coming back, the Giants should be thrilled about the consistency. They should have another excellent shot to win it all in 2011.