[lex24]

Spring training is upon us! I think the main battles for non-pitchers will be catcher and first base. It’s the latter I’m most interested in. Because if it goes as it appears it provides a window into the mentality of the organization. Here’s why. JD Davis potentially is the best hitter on the team. Righty or lefty pitcher doesn’t matter. The career splits are nearly identical. Defense and injuries have held him back. He’s a butcher at third. But let’s assume he’s not Dick Stuart and can be a decent first baseman. If that is the case, he should play everyday. There is no reason, other than an organizational overemphasis, to platoon him with Wade, Even if we assume Wade would have a slightly better OPS; which is a questionable assumption. If Wade is significantly better defensively, that changes the calculus. But assuming he’s not, having Davis as an everday first baseman opens a roster spot for a middle infielder. Someone that can play second base on the days Estrada moves over to spell Crawford. (Estrada unfortunately is the only backup SS option right now, unless Will Wilson surprises. If Crawford gets hurt - big trouble. And if you question that, consider that even in a Crawford down year, Giants were 8 games over .500 when he started. He is the most indispensable player on the roster.)

The Giants seriously lack roster balance. Obviously things can and do change over spring for a myriad of reasons. But if camp broke today, I think it’s safe to assume that the 11 non-catcher non-pitchers would be:

Inf - Wade, Davis, Flores, Estrada, Crawford, Villar
OF - Haniger, Yaz, Slater, Conforto, Joc.

2 true middle infielders. Which is why they talk about Villar taking reps at 2B this spring. Only other option is Flores at second. Wilmer is a pro. Like him a lot. But he has no range. He’s best suited on the corners and DH.

Davis thus becomes, in my eyes, a very important guy to watch. If he proves he can handle first base adequately, Wade should be expendable. Getting a position locked down with a regular is a good thing. Didn’t FZ tell us they wanted to do that prior to the Winter? . Add a middle infielder with some defensive ability (speed would be nice). Diaz and Wisley are the current possibilities of the 40. (Please no Donnie Walton). Wisely can run. Diaz has some power. Unfortunately, neither are known for their glove. I don’t know who is a possibility to acquire via trade as the third MIF. If anyone.

If Davis is a liability defensively at first base, then he’s relegated to platooning at DH and getting occasional starts at third, first and left. Defense be damned.

[lex24]

Spring training is upon us! I think the main battles for non-pitchers will be catcher and first base. It’s the latter I’m most interested in. Because if it goes as it appears it provides a window into the mentality of the organization. Here’s why. JD Davis potentially is the best hitter on the team. Righty or lefty pitcher doesn’t matter. The career splits are nearly identical. Defense and injuries have held him back. He’s a butcher at third. But let’s assume he’s not Dick Stuart and can be a decent first baseman. If that is the case, he should play everyday. There is no reason, other than an organizational overemphasis, to platoon him with Wade, Even if we assume Wade would have a slightly better OPS; which is a questionable assumption. If Wade is significantly better defensively, that changes the calculus. But assuming he’s not, having Davis as an everday first baseman opens a roster spot for a middle infielder. Someone that can play second base on the days Estrada moves over to spell Crawford. (Estrada unfortunately is the only backup SS option right now, unless Will Wilson surprises. If Crawford gets hurt - big trouble. And if you question that, consider that even in a Crawford down year, Giants were 8 games over .500 when he started. He is the most indispensable player on the roster.)

The Giants seriously lack roster balance. Obviously things can and do change over spring for a myriad of reasons. But if camp broke today, I think it’s safe to assume that the 11 non-catcher non-pitchers would be:

Inf - Wade, Davis, Flores, Estrada, Crawford, Villar
OF - Haniger, Yaz, Slater, Conforto, Joc.

2 true middle infielders. Which is why they talk about Villar taking reps at 2B this spring. Only other option is Flores at second. Wilmer is a pro. Like him a lot. But he has no range. He’s best suited on the corners and DH.

Davis thus becomes, in my eyes, a very important guy to watch. If he proves he can handle first base adequately, Wade should be expendable. Getting a position locked down with a regular is a good thing. Didn’t FZ tell us they wanted to do that prior to the Winter? . Add a middle infielder with some defensive ability (speed would be nice). Diaz and Wisley are the current possibilities of the 40. (Please no Donnie Walton). Wisely can run. Diaz has some power. Unfortunately, neither are known for their glove. I don’t know who is a possibility to acquire via trade as the third MIF. If anyone.

If Davis is a liability defensively at first base, then he’s relegated to platooning at DH and getting occasional starts at third, first and left. Defense be damned.