San Francisco Giants: Examining the First Base Conundrum

No one doubted Brian Sabean when he told reporters last November "there won't be [a] big splash" with regards to the San Francisco Giants' offseason plans. Sabean's words have never required many grains of salt, and this prediction was no different. 

With only three weeks to go before pitchers and catchers report, the Giants' 2012 roster is set. However, within this roster, many questions still remain, including who will earn the fifth spot in the starting rotation, who will be the Opening Day shortstop and perhaps most pressing, who is the Giants' starting first baseman?

Let's look at the candidates.

Aubrey Huff is the returning starter at first base. Coming off a dismal season that saw Huff go  .246/.306/.370, he cannot be considered a lock to retain his starting role.

On the other hand, Huff has a history of pairing poor seasons with productive ones. If the Giants see Huff on his way to replicating the .290/.385/.506 line from his 2010 season, he should be the clear favorite at first. Assuming Huff has passed the peak of career and will not produce at that level, the Giants do have some promising options behind him.

Enter Brandon Belt.

Coming off of a frustrating rookie season, Belt's role in the 2012 San Francisco Giants is unknown. Many, myself included, envision Belt as the Giants' left fielder. Bearing this in mind, first base is Belt's natural position. From a defensive standpoint, Belt has a leg up on the competition. Even if he does earn the starting spot in left, Belt could still see time as a late-inning defensive replacement to spell Huff.

On the reverse, in games where Buster Posey supplants Huff at first (more below on that situation), Belt may be relegated to the bench to keep Huff in the starting nine. His best bet at playing time will almost definitely revolve around an outfield role, which leaves the Giants with some interesting candidates to supplant Huff. 

Is Buster Posey a viable first baseman?

Potentially, yes. From the moment Posey began speaking to the press following his season-ending collison with Scott Cousins last May, his stance was clear: he was a catcher. For the rest of the 2011 season, bits and pieces floated through the media questioning whether allowing Posey to return to the squat was irresponsible, or even outright stupid. In September, the brass made official their intentions of starting Posey as catcher in 2012.

Still, doubt remains.

So far, the entirety of the debate surrounding Posey's capacity to return behind the plate has consisted of words. Posey has been fiercely adherent to his rehabilitation regime, but nothing will put fans and coaches at ease until he is actually playing in Major League games.

Should the stress of catching prove too much, first base is undoubtedly the position Posey will shift to. He has a small amount of experience there, and manager Bruce Bochy has said that even in ideal health, Posey will still make spot starts at first in 2012 to give his body a break. 

Who else is vying for a shot at first base?

Brett Pill, for one. After earning the distinction of being the first professional baseball player of 2011 to reach 100 RBI, the San Francisco Giants brought him up at the end of August. Pill didn't disappoint. In 50 at-bats, he hit for .300/.321/.560.

At 27, Pill is entering the final seasons of his prime. If he has any chance of making an impact at the major-league level, he'll need decent playing time in 2012. So in the hunt for a job at first base is a struggling veteran, a prospect in need of a position, a catcher returning from significant injury and a late-season call-up. Anyone else want in on the fun?

Don't forget Pablo Sandoval.

The ball-mashing, goofy third baseman was much improved in his defense for 2011. He tied with Brett Gardner and Austin Jackson for most defensive runs saved last season. However, in the wake of a new three-year, $17.5 million extension, it's imperative to look at the long-term with the Panda.

If he continues to be the offensive powerhouse the front office is hoping for, his natural home beyond this contract will be at first base. Thus, there is a certain amount of sense in getting him occasional starts there now. 

So who starts at first on Opening Day?

Barring any drastic moves (or injuries) between now and April, it's hard to imagine Bochy not starting the season with Huff. Despite Sabean's ultimatum that Huff is  "going to have to come in and pull more weight," we know Bochy's fondness for veterans and second chances. With this in mind, and my separate hopes to see Belt as the starting left fielder, the Giants' 2012 first base situation will most likely be Huff spelled by Posey and Pill.

There is always the chance of a shake-up, and I do believe Huff will ride pine if he doesn't produce in April and May, but until then the big contract will most likely override the minor potential.