Last week we discussed next year’s outlook for the pitching staff. Let’s dive right into the position players. I’ve listed in bold the active-roster players under contract or control for 2010. In italics are 40–man players (or other minor leaguers) with a decent shot to compete for a roster spot.
C
Whiteside
Holm
Posey
Catchers go first, because the biggest decision for next year hinges on Buster Posey. Will he be ready out of the gate? Will he need more time? What kind of help will he need? At the very least, I see the Giants signing a grizzled veteran backup, a Gregg Zaun type who can be a mentor but also hit a little so that if Posey is injured or completely flails, they won’t be stuck with Eli Whiteside or Steve Holm as the main main. Can Bengie Molina play that role? He probably doesn’t want to, and he probably won’t have to: someone out there will give him at least a one-year contract as a starter. The other option: Make Pablo Sandoval the fallback option if Posey can’t cut it immediately, and keep a Whitesidish fellow around so Pablo can also play 3B.
IF
Garko
Ishikawa
Renteria
F. Sanchez
Sandoval
Burriss
Downs
Frandsen
Guzman
Rohlinger
Here’s where the catcher situation has a ripple effect. If Sandoval starts a bunch of games behind the plate, the Giants will want a real bat to play at 3B when Pablo isn’t there. I don’t think Ryan Rohlinger is the answer, though I’ll be delighted if he is. Chone Figgins might be the answer, because when Pablo plays third, Figgins has the skills to play elsewhere. And he solves the Giants’ leadoff problem. He’s become one of the best. He’ll also be one of the most expensive free agents this winter and perhaps not the best use of the Giants’ dollars.
Across the diamond, I’m sure the Giants would love to upgrade the first-base bat. Nick Johnson would be nice if the magic 8–ball promised he would stay healthy, but beware the guarantee of multiple years in order to win a bidding war. I also won’t be surprised if they cut Renteria loose and eat his 2010 salary. Perhaps they see how he looks in camp, plus a month, but not much longer. Unless he makes a miraculous recovery, they couldn’t any do worse with a combo of Frandsen and Uribe.
Manny Burriss could be back in the mix in spring training, though after missing most of this year with a broken foot his chances of breaking camp with S.F. are slim. Definitely resign Uribe to another low-cost one-year deal, if possible. Jesus Guzman is a factor if Garko is traded or falls on his face — and remember, he’s entering arbitration and will start to get expensive — but I don’t think the Giants are convinced yet that Guzman can handle part-time duties at 1B with the glove or bat. His best role might be trade bait for an American League team that can use a DH/PH/1B/Lefty-masher type.
OF
Schierholtz
Rowand
Lewis
Velez
Torres
Bowker
The Giants will give Schierholtz every chance to win the RF job. He’s got the speed and the arm, but his bat might never play much better than Randy Winn’s, who until this year was good for 10–15 homers and a .340–350 OBP, which would be an improvement for Schierholtz. I’d love to see him develop 20–HR power and more patience; perhaps a year of full MLB service under his belt will spark that development. I like Andres Torres as a backup, and I think Fred Lewis will be odd man out. John Bowker needs to prove he’s not Todd Linden, and the Giants need to give him a chance to prove it. But Jason Bay in left field would be nice, too, and Bowker might have to prove himself again at AAA to start the year. Aaron Rowand will be the starting CF next year unless he loses a body part.
Here’s my mock Opening Day 2010 roster for position players. (My 12 pitchers are here.) It’s more my best guess at what will actually happen than my ideal roster.
Posey
Sandoval
Whiteside
Garko
Ishikawa
F. Sanchez
Renteria (on a short leash)
Uribe or Frandsen
Rowand
Schierholtz
ONE BIG BAT VIA FREE AGENCY OR TRADE
Torres
Velez
