Giants Wrong to Dismiss Buster Posey as Pablo Sandoval Replacement

Buster Posey is the starting catcher for the San Francisco Giants—but should he be?

It seems like an absurd question. During five full seasons behind the dish for San Francisco, all Posey has done is win Rookie of the Year, a batting title, an MVP and three—count 'em, three—World Series rings. So probably no need for a change, eh?

The problem is that the Giants have multiple holes to fill this offseason, including a panda-sized one at third base, and their options are dwindling.

Pablo Sandoval, the incumbent third baseman with the Chinese mammal moniker, spurned San Francisco and signed with the Boston Red Sox. And Chase Headley, the next-best third-sacker on the market, re-upped with the New York Yankees.

The Giants may be in on Korean infielder Jung-Ho Kang, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, who speculates that the power-hitting Kang could take over at second with Joe Panik sliding to third. 

Kang clubbed 40 home runs in 117 games last year with the Nexen Heroes. However, as Heyman notes, "the big question is how those numbers translate" to the majors. 

Here's the thing: The Giants already have an elite MLB hitter on their roster who'd be more than capable of handling the hot corner. 

No, Posey hasn't played an inning there in the big leagues, though he has seen significant action across the diamond at first base.

During his collegiate career at Florida State, however, Posey bounced all around the field. He was a shortstop before he strapped on the tools of ignorance. Heck, he even took the mound as the Seminoles' closer—and had a decent fastball from the looks of it:

Consider May 13, 2008, when Posey played all nine positions in a single game for FSU.

"At no time was I ever worried about a ball being hit to him," Florida State head coach Mike Martin said at the time, per ESPN.com. "Buster looked very comfortable everywhere he was, so that just goes to show you what kind of athlete that he is." 

OK, sure, that's college and this is the pros. Certainly it would take time for Posey to master the nuances of a new position. He's got the raw tools—good hands, a howitzer arm—but this isn't a move the Giants and their superstar could, or should, make lightly.

If you believe general manager Brian Sabean, it's not a move they'll make at all. Period.

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

"Buster's a catcher," Sabean told MLB.com's Chris Haft when asked about a possible move to third. "He's a franchise player, a franchise catcher."

No quibbles here, or anywhere, on the "franchise player" part. But isn't that an argument for getting Posey out of the squat at some point to save his legs?

Maybe the Giants hoped to postpone that seemingly inevitable transition for a couple of years; Posey's still only 27, after all, and he's an undeniably excellent backstop.

Sandoval's departure, though, is forcing their hand. Sometimes you have to scrap the plan and do what the situation dictates.

The obvious question: If Posey stops being San Francisco's catcher, who fills his shin guards?

The current internal candidates aren't Posey-level (who is?), but they are palatable.

Andrew Susac had a nice rookie season, posting a .273/.326/.466 slash line in 35 games after a July call-up. Hector Sanchez, Posey's primary backup since 2012, missed the bulk of last season with lingering concussion symptoms, but he's playing in the Venezuelan Winter League and should be ready for spring training, per Alex Pavlovic of the Contra Costa Times. 

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The depth chart at third base, meanwhile, is woefully thin. Marco Scutaro is approaching his 40th birthday and missed virtually all of last season with back issues.

Rookie Matt Duffy had a few nice moments down the stretch and in the postseason, but he's a utility infielder at best on a contending team. Ditto Joaquin Arias, who can play all over but had just nine extra-base hits in 193 at-bats.

There's no question yanking an All-Star receiver out from behind the plate carries risks, particularly for the pitching staff, which has been the cornerstone of San Francisco's nascent dynasty.

But as the offseason drags on and the Giants keep staring at the holes on their roster—in addition to third base, they could use an outfielder and another starting pitcher—they're going to become increasingly desperate.

And you know what they say about desperate times.

All statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference.