Buster Posey Injury: 10 Players the Giants Can Pursue to Fill the Void

The brutal collision between Florida Marlins outfielder Scott Cousins and San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey in the 12th inning of Wednesday night’s game reverberated throughout the Bay Area.

However, unlike a small tremor, this collision will have long-term devastating effects.

An MRI on Thursday revealed that Posey had suffered a fracture of his fibula and three torn ligaments in his left ankle, requiring surgery and months of rehabilitation.

Posey, who had been on a tear at the plate with a 13-game hitting streak, will likely seek a specialist to perform the surgery as soon as possible.

For now, backup catcher Eli Whiteside will take over behind the plate for the Giants; however, Whiteside has always been just that—a backup. The Giants and GM Brian Sabean will likely be looking for a more long-term solution.

There will also no doubt be calls for Posey to transition to first base upon his return, and considering the value of his bat, it’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility in order to further his career. The Minnesota Twins are facing the same conundrum with their All-Star catcher, Joe Mauer.

But I digress—we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. What do the Giants do for now? Here are 10 options that GM Brian Sabean can explore in order to try to defend their World Series championship.

Doug Mead is a featured columnist with Bleacher Report. His work has been featured on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, SF Gate, CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Times and the Houston Chronicle. Follow Doug on Twitter, @Sports_A_Holic.

1. Jeff Mathis: Los Angeles Angels

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ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 7: Jeff Mathis #5 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts after striking out to end the sixth inning with two runners on base against the Cleveland Indians on May 7, 2011 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen

Here’s the school of thought on this—the San Francisco Giants simply aren’t going to find anyone who will replace Buster Posey’s offense. It’s that simple. Aside from Brian McCann, Joe Mauer and Victor Martinez, who aren’t going anywhere, there are just no better options out there.

However, what is in fact needed is a solid defensive catcher who works well with the pitching staff.

GM Brian Sabean should be on the horn with Los Angeles Angels GM Tony Reagins to inquire about Jeff Mathis.

Mathis is currently splitting time behind the plate with rookie catcher Hank Conger, who is clearly the future for the Angels. Mathis would be a steady presence behind the plate, albeit with a career .200 batting average. But at least the pitching staff would be served properly.

2. Ivan Rodriguez: Washington Nationals

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WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 15: Catcher Ivan Rodriguez #7 of the Washington Nationals in action against the Florida Marlins at Nationals Park on May 15, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

With the solid play of Wilson Ramos behind the plate for the Washington Nationals, the Giants should try to reach out and grab Pudge.

Yes, his best days are well behind him; however, he is still a player who can help add veteran leadership and be a guiding force for the pitching staff, and he would certainly help out short term.

3. Sign Bengie Molina

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ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 01: Bengie Molina #11 of the Texas Rangers reacts after he struck out against the San Francisco Giants in Game Five of the 2010 MLB World Series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on November 1, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Giants

Former Giants catcher Bengie Molina has not played baseball yet this season because he never received a contract that he deemed worthy of his services.

Seems to me that his services could certainly be deemed worthy now, and Brian Sabean should pony up accordingly.

Molina already knows the pitching staff, so no learning curve would be in play.

4. Ryan Hanigan: Cincinnati Reds

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PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 08: Catcher Ryan Hanigan #29 of the Cincinnati Reds in action during the Major League Baseball home opening game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 8, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Reds

Cincinnati Reds catcher Ryan Hanigan is arguably a pretty good offensive catcher. Hanigan hit .300 in 2010 with an OPS of .834, and this season Hanigan is hitting .261 while starting roughly half the games behind the dish.

With Ramon Hernandez having an outstanding season so far, hitting .327 with six homers and 15 RBI, the Reds certainly wouldn’t suffer much by trading Hanigan.

5. Ryan Doumit: Pittsburgh Pirates

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PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 13: Ryan Doumit #41 of the Pittsburgh Pirates waits at home plate during their game against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on April 13, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

It seems pretty clear that the Pittsburgh Pirates won’t be hanging on to both of their catchers, Ryan Doumit and Chris Snyder, at the end of the season. Doumit is a career .268 hitter who can at least provide a steady bat for the Giants.

Is he a great defensive catcher? No, not by any stretch.

However, Doumit is only under contract through this season, so he could at least help out in the short term and not be a liability with the bat.

6. Kelly Shoppach: Tampa Bay Rays

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 02: Catcher Kelly Shoppach #10 of the Tampa Bay Rays makes a stop against the Baltimore Orioles during the game at Tropicana Field on April 2, 2011 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Another catcher who is in a platoon situation, Tampa Bay Rays catcher Kelly Shoppach could also be another short-term fix for the Giants.

Shoppach has been abysmal at the plate thus far this season, hitting just .167; however, the change of scenery and knowing he’ll get the bulk of starts behind the plate just might be the remedy.

Shoppach would also come rather cheap, signed for $3 million this season, and likely wouldn’t cost the Giants any serious prospects in return.

7. Ronny Paulino: New York Mets

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NEW YORK - MAY 22: Francisco Cervelli #17 of the New York Yankees reacts after striking out with a man on second and nobody out as Ronny Paulino #9 of the New York Mets throws to third on May 22, 2011 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York Ci

In limited time this year, New York Mets backup catcher Ronny Paulino is hitting .325 and performed pretty admirably at the plate the previous two seasons in Florida for the Marlins.

Let’s face it, the Mets will probably be doing a fire sale soon anyway—might as well shake that tree and see what falls.

8. Bobby Wilson: Los Angeles Angels

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PEORIA, AZ - MARCH 15: Catcher Bobby Wilson #26 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during the spring training game against the San Diego Padres at Peoria Stadium on March 15, 2011 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Angels are currently carrying three catchers on their roster, and one of them, Bobby Wilson, is barely playing at all.

Wilson dedicated himself this offseason to a serious conditioning program that saw him lose over 30 pounds, and it paid off at the plate, hitting over .300 during spring training and hitting .250 in just 16 at-bats this season.

Wilson is also a pretty decent defensive catcher, so he could be a big help for the Giants.

9. Jesus Montero: New York Yankees

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TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 21: Jesus Montero #83 of the New York Yankees works out during the second day of full teams workouts at Spring Training on February 21, 2011 at the George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Jesus Montero, rated the No. 3 prospect by Baseball America in 2011, has yet to see an at-bat in the majors; however, there is no question this kid is the real deal.

Currently hitting .311 for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre, no one questions his skill set.

Trading for Montero would also allow the Giants to move Buster Posey to first base when he returns next season. Montero wouldn’t come cheap, so GM Brian Sabean will have to be creative with any offer he makes.

10. Convert Barry Zito to Catcher

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PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 16: Starting pitcher Barry Zito #75 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the Major League Baseball game at Chase Field on April 16, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Giants defeated the Diamondbacks

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Barry Zito, currently on the DL with a sprained right foot, recently threw a bullpen session and is on his way back. The Giants certainly aren’t rushing him back to the rotation.

So why not convert him to catcher?

Hey, the Giants need to recoup some of that $126 million that they blew on him somehow, right?

OK, OK, never mind…