Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
SCOTTSDALE — The Giants often have preached competition, and in spring that generally means allowing unproven players to try to prove themselves. Competition does not exist much for stars in February and March.
This year, the roster is far more certain than in past years — “We may have a little less drama with our Opening Day roster,” is the way Farhan Zaidi put it. The offense’s competition largely will be shaped early in the season by battles for playing time rather than battles for roster spots.
With Austin Slater and Darin Ruf, two left fielders capable of platooning with Alex Dickerson, who wins more plate appearances? Can Wilmer Flores fight his way into lineups against lefties at first if Brandon Belt is healthy? Can Mike Yastrzemski and Donovan Solano further shield themselves from a platoon? Can Mauricio Dubon show he handles righties, or would Slater or Yastrzemski or LaMonte Wade Jr. find at-bats at center?
“We’re going to have a good bench, and we’re going to have guys on the bench pretty much every game that probably wish and think they should be starting,” Zaidi said on a half-hour Zoom call. “That’s kind of what you want.”
Zaidi indicated that the Giants likely will bring 13 hitters and 13 pitches on the roster to Seattle for the opener. After Jason Vosler was optioned Wednesday, there is one fewer competitor for a corner spot. The offensive certainties, with plenty of positional flexibility, are:
Catcher: Buster Posey and Curt Casali
First base: Wilmer Flores
Second base: Donovan Solano
Third base: Evan Longoria, Tommy La Stella
Shortstop: Brandon Crawford
Outfield: Alex Dickerson, Austin Slater, Darin Ruf, Mauricio Dubon, Mike Yastrzemski
That leaves one spot, which will be determined by Belt’s health. Belt is starting at first for the first time Thursday and pinch-hit Wednesday after mono was the most recent ailment to wipe him out. Of note is the Mariners are a lefty-heavy staff, so it’s possible he would be viewed as a bench bat even if he were to make the roster. Wade, who also can play the outfield and who has a solid first-base glove, likely would be the pick if Belt cannot go.
“Right now I see a real path to [Belt] being ready for us on Opening Day and ready to contribute right away,” Gabe Kapler said before the Giants played the Brewers at Scottsdale Stadium. “…Let’s see how he comes out of today’s game, a long way to go, but I don’t see it as out of the realm of possibility at this point.”
The starting pitching has begun to round into form, with Kevin Gausman opening April 1, Johnny Cueto following and Anthony DeSclafani likely finishing the first series in Seattle.
Beyond that, Logan Webb has been the standout of camp. Aaron Sanchez is starting Thursday. Zaidi noted that Sanchez’s endurance “was a little bit of an issue in his first game,” when he threw three innings but had worse stuff in his third. Endurance likely will be an issue for Alex Wood, too, who had an ablation procedure.
“He is trending up really quickly, but obviously we don’t have a lot of time,” Zaidi said of the lefty seven days before Opening Day. “We’ll have to see what we do at the back end of the rotation. It might be a little bit in flux.”
It’s possible Sanchez and Wood tag-team a start. Because of off days, the Giants could go with a four-man rotation early, but Kapler has suggested that Cueto will start the Giants’ home opener, which would mean they need five starters.
The bullpen, Kapler has said, is the area where competition is best. The near certainties are Jake McGee, Matt Wisler, Jose Alvarez and Jarlin Garcia, all on major league deals without options. Kapler has mentioned Tyler Rogers as a closer candidate, so he has a good shot. Zaidi referenced Reyes Moronta’s upswing, his stuff much better than the early-camp worries.
Several non-rostered righties, though, have impressed the Giants. They have a hill to climb to make the team because it would entail clearing 40-man roster space, but it would be a big surprise if Nick Tropeano didn’t make the cut. Shun Yamaguchi has an opt-out and excellent splitter, so he may be kept around. It’s expected that lefty Scott Kazmir will open in Sacramento and try to stretch out as a rotation option.
Zaidi mentioned Dominic Leone and Zack Littell, too, as non-roster options who have pitched “extremely well. So that’s going to lend itself to some tough decisions in the next few days.”
So there is some drama in Giants camp, but the kind they like.