The Giants have discussed permanently moving slugger Buster Posey from catcher to first base, according to MLB.com's Chris Haft. That day may not be too far away.
Buster wants to catch, and he's superb at the job. He calls a great game, no one denies that. He paints a nice target, and he has a certain stillness and finesse that only the very best in the game possess. He handles the pitching staff like a true veteran, and he even gets along well with the umpires. He likes being behind the dish.
His numbers look much more impressive for a catcher then they do for a first baseman, although he seems to be putting up pretty impressive numbers for any position lately. (.353/.413/.603) Buster may improve offensively if he doesn't have the daily grind of squatting behind home plate. Catching takes a mighty toll on everyone who does the job, and he might simply be too valuable a player to leave him there.
Hector Sanchez has progressed in the catching slot much faster then anyone anticipated, and having both Posey's and Sanchez's bats in the lineup is a plus. Sanchez is still having trouble in some minor areas, but nothing that can't be fixed in the next month or so.
There has also been a question as to other teams intentionally targeting the Giants' star player. Andrew Baggarly went so far as to call Posey a "marked man." Recently Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Sam LeCure threw a pitch that came close enough to Buster's knees that it elicited a warning from plate umpire Vic Carapazza. Manager Bruce Bochy said, "It's how people get hurt, you know? We lost our guy for a long time last year, and here's a ball thrown at his kneecaps." Indeed.
The Giants also have Tommy Joseph and Andrew Susac in the system. Neither one is ready to progress to the majors, but both are intriguing prospects that show a real depth for the Giants in this often difficult position. Joseph was particularly impressive at spring training this year, and continues to shine in Richmond.
When asked about the four games he has already started at first base, Buster commented: "I'm good with it."
Brandon Belt's future performance may be the deciding factor in what Bochy and Sabean ultimately decide to do, or when they make the move. Buster has repeated stated his desire to remain catching, but affirmed his intent to do what is best for the team.
What's best for the team may simply be to keep Buster healthy and out of harm's way. While it won't prevent pitchers from throwing behind the team's best hitter (as the Reds did recently), moving Buster to first will, at the very least, protect him from those incredibly dicey plays at the plate.
The transition may be a gradual one this season. Posey has shown a really impressive passion for the game and has come bounding back into the limelight. People hardly mention the fact that he has recovered from a devastating injury, but it's there, in the back of everyone's mind. And surely that ankle must still hurt a little, right?
Buster is an amazing athlete and I think Giants fans just want to see him have a long and productive career in whatever position he plays. As he told MLB.com, "I still say I want to be behind the plate. But I'm not opposed to going over there [first base], when the right time presents itself."
The time is soon, Buster.
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