Thoughts on Buster Posey's Future

Ever since the horrific collision that nearly tore Buster Posey's foot off that the ankle, Giants fans have been understandably anxious about the continued risk of injury for him playing the catcher position.  Add in a 9 year contract and the need to keep him healthy and productive for the length of the contract and you don't have a situation that reduces anyone's anxiety.

Buster has played quite a bit of first base, and played the position well, with above average UZR's in a small sample size.  Some people point to the fact that Buster played SS in college as evidence he can play just about anywhere, but that was during his freshman season.  I don't think there is any serious fan who has watched him play lately who thinks he could move to SS.

Bruce Bochy has made some intriguing comments in the past about Buster possibly moving to 3B.  With Pablo Sandoval possibly headed out of town as a free agent, those comments have been seized upon to make a case for Buster Posey to be Pablo's replacement at 3B, should the need arise.  Then, 2 days ago, Bochy threw cold water on that idea saying there is currently no discussion about Posey moving from catcher as his primary position and while Buster Posey has the tools to play 3B, it would take time for him to learn the finer points of the position.  The transition to 1B would be much easier and quicker.  If and when the time comes for him to move away from the catcher position, it will be to first base.

So what's going on here?  Did Bochy just contradict himself here?  Is he blowing a smokescreen to protect Pablo Sandoval's feelings while there is still a possibility that he may stay and sign a new contract?  I decided to look up Bochy's prior quotes and see  if they shed any light on the issue.

The first report we read about Bochy saying Buster Posey might move to 3B came on October 3, 2012.    It was reported by Andy Baggarly on CSN Bay Area who said that this was not the first time he had heard Bochy discuss the subject.  Baggarly went on to say that he had spoken to other coaches and scouts who thought Buster would make a fine third baseman someday.   Here's the exact quote, "I think he could play third.  That's how athletic I think he is."  Bochy may have expanded on the thought, but if he did , Baggs did not report it.

The subject apparently came up again during a pregame chat with reporters on August 21, 2014.  As reported by Baggs, who, by the way, seems to have had a particular interest in the subject for a long time, Bochy's exact quote this time:  "I think he'd be a really good third baseman.  We like him where he's at now.  An this is something(that would happen) if he took the time to learn it in the offseason and spring training.  But, he's an athlete and he has the hands and arm."

Again, we are not given much of the context here in terms of what questions were asked by reporters or why the subject came up.  From reading the rest of Baggarly's article it seems that it came when Buster was slumping and questions about fatigue being the cause were coming up.

Then, this weekend the subject came up once again, probably because of internet and radio talk about possible replacements for Pablo should he leave via free agency.  This time, Bochy chose to be both more expansive and more precise in his wording:

"Right now, no.  Down the road, I'm sure it's something we will talk about.  You've got to like Susac's development over this past year.  We said the same about Hector.  Unfortunately, we are dealing with some (concussion) issues with Hector.  You'd like to lighten the load on Buster.  Whether at some point down the road he will get out from behind the plate, I can't answer that, but right now, there is no plan to do that.  But I will say, it's always nice to have that option.  It's a beautiful thing having that kind of option where you have somebody you trust to  be able to handle the staff, whether it is Susac or Sanchez.  I think it would be more to first base.  I think he could go at third base, but I think it takes some work because of slow rollers, bunts and things like that.  His hands, his arm, everything would work, but it would take a lot of work."

For what it's worth, and probably quite a bit, Brian Sabean has always been adamant that Posey is the teams's starting catcher.  That is what the value of his contract was based on, and that is where he is going to play.  I found one one source, Bay Area Sports Guy, whoever that is, who says he knows that Buster himself will not discuss the subject of moving off catcher at all.

So, what's going on here?  I have a few thoughts to add:

1.  I do not see any contradiction in Bochy's earlier comments and his current ones.  He's never said that Posey was going to move to 3B, now or in the future. He's always said he has the tools, still does.  He has always said it would take extended work(offseason plus spring training) to get him ready to play 3B.

2.  There are hints of internal debate about the issue with Sabes and Buster on one side and Bochy kind of on the other.  I don't get the idea that it's something Bochy feels adamant about, though.

3.  I believe it is highly unlikely that Buster Posey is anything other than the starting catcher next year or even the year after that.

4.  I believe it is highly unlikely that Buster Posey will ever be the Giants third baseman.

My personal opinion after watching Buster Posey play first base in quite a few games over the past 3 seasons is that he would not make a very good third baseman even with a lot of practice.  I just don't see the fluidity of movement, the quickness afoot and instincts for the position.  But I'm no scout and could be wrong.