“I don’t see myself playing for any other team. Not that going to another team would diminish what you did. But personally, as a fan, I like to see guys stay with the same team. So no, I wouldn’t want to play anywhere else,” longtime Giants catcher Buster Posey told The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly (subscription required) about his baseball future. Posey has two guaranteed years remaining on his contract, plus San Francisco has a $22MM club option ($3MM buyout) for the 2022 season that is e exercised — 2022 will be Posey’s age-35 season and his production has declined over the last two years as Posey has dealt with hip surgery and the subsequent recovery process. That said, Posey was able to engage in a full offseason workout regiment this winter and was on a hitting tear during Spring Training, so there’s certainly some optimism that he could at least approach his old form.
With at least two years to go before any sort of decision needs to be made, it remains to be seen if Posey could seek out a contract with a new team, retire at the end of his current pact, or perhaps re-sign with the Giants. This latter option could see Posey in a backup catcher/veteran mentor role at that stage of his career, particularly since San Francisco has one of the game’s best prospect (Joey Bart) in line as their catcher of the future. Interestingly, a move to first base for Posey doesn’t seem be an option at the moment, as the Giants aren’t planning to use Posey as a first baseman this season, to the point that Posey hasn’t been taking any grounders at first this spring.
More from the NL West…
- The Padres agreed to terms with 24 pre-arbitration players on contracts for the 2020 season, though Emilio Pagan’s deal was renewed after the newly-acquired reliever didn’t come to terms with the team, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes. Pagan will earn $591K in 2020 before becoming reaching arbitration eligibility next winter. Pagan becomes the latest notable player to have his contract renewed, a process Jeff Todd explored in a recent MLBTR YouTube video entry.
- As part of a reader mailbag piece, MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell looked at how the Padres could manage their 26-man roster, such as the increasing possibility that the team will carry only four outfielders. Cassavell figures that Wil Myers, Trent Grisham, and Tommy Pham have the starting jobs spoken for, while Franchy Cordero, Josh Naylor, and Abraham Almonte are competing for the fourth outfielder role. This would leave room for San Diego to use its 26th roster spot on a utility player. For added outfield depth, the likes of Greg Garcia, Francisco Mejia, or Jurickson Profar could all handle such a fill-in role if necessary. That wouldn’t necessarily be how the Padres would like to optimize Profar, since the club was already intent on using him at primarily at second base, though since Cassavell notes that the Padres’ second base competition could stretch into the season, Profar will need somewhere to find playing time if Brian Dozier or Garcia earn more looks at the keystone.
- Josh Barfield was promoted to the role of farm director for the Diamondbacks this offseason, as The Athletic’s Zach Buchanan (subscription required) looks at how the former big league infielder has quickly climbed the ladder during his five-plus years in Arizona’s front office. Hired as a scout by former D’Backs general manager Dave Stewart in the 2014-15 offseason, Barfield has moved from assistant director of pro scouting to assistant farm director to his current position. Barfield’s rising star hasn’t gone unnoticed around baseball, as current GM Mike Hazen told Buchanan that other teams have tried to hire Barfield away. A future position as a “manager or GM might not be far behind” for the 37-year-old Barfield, Buchanan writes.
andrewgauldin
Posey as the primary first basemen and the third catcher seems a good way to utilize the 26th man. Bart/Garcia tandem
rightyspecialist
Posey doesn’t have the offensive numbers to play first. No way
123redsox
When healthy, Posey does. Having him play first instead of catch could help him stay healthy. When healthy he has well outperformed belt at the plate
mlb1225
He can get by if he hits like he did in 2017, but those years might be too far behind him now.
ABStract
123 knows what he’s talking about, Posey’s production at first has always been very good (because his knees are fresh I assume)
rightyspecialist
The term ‘Low Information’ is a frequently used term in national politics to describe voters.
And it’s being used in an appropriate context here: Any baseball fan who has an understanding of measurables for HOF knows beyond any shadow of a Doubt that Buster Posey will never be a HOF candidate
Any rhetoric to the contrary is just dumb dumb fandom hogwash
claude raymond
Where did you read someone mention posey as a potential HOFer?
claude raymond
…on this thread or in this article? Where? Did I miss it?
claude raymond
I see it now. It’s showing after your post for some reason. Btw, I agree, he’s not a HOFer
PutPeteRoseInTheHall
He actually has good career notes. His career average is .302
PutPeteRoseInTheHall
numbers*
talking baseball
First off, Garcia is on the 60 day DL and your idea isn’t very good, so go back to the drawing board.
andrewgauldin
Correct. I was referring to the article, which talked about Posey’s future. So yeah, Posey at first and a Bart/Garcia tandem next year or the year after.
And how is this not a good idea? Please explain
ABStract
It is a good idea, don’t listen to that dude
PutPeteRoseInTheHall
Its a great idea
notagain27
Is Posey a Future Hall of Famer?
bleacherguy714
Only way he’d make it to the HOF would be if they had a display on the “Buster Posey” rule…Other than that, he doesn’t have the numbers, nor will he if he only plays a couple more seasons. Only 1300 hits thus far and in the twilight of his career, ain’t much left in the tank. Like watching Joe Mauer his last couple of years.
Baseball 1600
Catchers aren’t weighted the same as other players. His stats among hall of fame catchers put him on par to make the HOF.
Fuck Me Bitch
Does that mean you think Mauer should be in the Hall of Fame? Very similar numbers, only Mauer was somewhat better.
SFGLifer
This Giants fan thinks maybe his counting stats & WAR totals are a tad bit lacking relative to HOF catchers. He needs a couple more productive seasons, but it’ll depend on how much voters value the rings and awards.
rightyspecialist
He’s not a ‘tad bit’ short. Lol
He’s WAY short. Buster Posey will not be elected to the HOF
andrewgauldin
He’s absolutely a HOF. 6x time all star, 3x World Series, MVP,Gold glove, batting title, 4x silver slugger.
Plus what he’s meant to SF. No doubt he’s a HOF.
Old User Name
Those kind of numbers didn’t get Munson in. It’s hard for catchers to get in.
davemlaw
And ROY…just saying.
Fuck Me Bitch
Mauer won three batting titles, has a lifetime batting average of .306, 3 Gold Gloves, 6 All-Star appearances, and oh by the way an MVP award to his credit … and he will NOT be in the HOF.
rightyspecialist
Lol. Posey has no business being discussed in terms of HOF.
His numbers fall ridiculously short of Being in that discussion. This sort of talk is just more ‘low information’ Giants fandom rhetoric.
ABStract
What the hell is “low information”?
Making up terms because you can’t think of the actual thing you meant to say?
STFU and stop commenting, every single thing I’ve seen from you has been idiotic trolling.
Have something decent, intelligent, or at the very least interesting, to say once in a while you ignorant troglodyte
rightyspecialist
The term ‘Low Information’ is a frequently used term in national politics to describe voters.
And it’s being used in an appropriate context here: Any baseball fan who has an understanding of measurables for HOF knows beyond any shadow of a Doubt that Buster Posey will never be a HOF candidate
Any rhetoric to the contrary is just dumb dumb fandom hogwash
Fuck Me Bitch
I think you’re being too harsh and too certain. Kirby Puckett made it to the Hall not because of his numbers but because of his charisma and two post-season performances. Allow that it’s possible and you won’t come across so antagonistic.
123redsox
100% a hall of Famer.
Get Off My Mound
I say if so many consider Yadi a HOFer, then we should consider Posey one too. Posey has nearly 2 more points in career bWAR compared to Yadi in 5 less seasons.
bobtillman
MLBTR has now officially entered into “off-season” mode.
Doesn’t surprise me a bit about Barfield. He did an interview years ago, when he was still playing, with Rosenthal (I think; could’ve been someone else). It was one of the interviews where you sit there and say “Oh ya, this guy gets it”. Kind of like those player interviews with Craig Consul and Kevin Cash when they were playing. You just kind of know.
Fuck Me Bitch
I think it might be called The Off-Off Season … .as in Off-Off Broadway..
8
Baseball gone me sad
davemlaw
Glad to hear Posey wants to finish his career with the Giants. He could ask to be traded and the Giants would find takers, including the Braves, Posey’s favorite team growing up. But legacy and comfort seem to be important to Posey and that’s nice to hear.
I’ve often wondered what his career would have been like if Scott Cousins hadn’t run him down. More rings? May be. HOF? Probably as his counting stats would have been a lot higher.
One of the more impressive aspects of Posey’s career is how he conducts himself. He’s always reminded me of Derek Jeter, a quite demeanor but one that demands respect.
Whether he gets into the HOF or not Posey will be a legend to SF fans forever. I’m grateful to him for a lot of wonderful memories.
ABStract
Well said sir!
claude raymond
Davemlaw you are on point. HOFer or not, I don’t care. He defined this giants title era and maybe, if things go right, he can be a part of a next title era…we’ll see.
And to all the people saying he needs to play first, I think Bart needs to learn and play first until posey can’t handle the plate anymore. His defense last year, for a guy recovering from hip surgery, was excellent. Depending on which defensive metrics are used, he was top 3 to 5. He still has a cannon arm
aussiegiants53
Would hate to see him on another team, hope he has a few more productive years, resign year to year until he decides it’s time. In regards to being HOF candidate, he’s got to be close, again another 3-4 years of at least semi productive seasons should get him there
Rsox
Posey is a full time First Baseman probably as early as next season if not sooner (depending how quickly Bart continues to develop). It’s not like Brandon Belt is Willie McCovey out there, or even Will Clark for that matter (maybe Todd Benzinger?). Posey is the more important player to the Giants between the two and getting out from behind the plate is the only real way for him to stay healthy.
its_happening
Was Buster Posey the best player at his position? For a stretch, absolutely. And a long stretch. He’s a HOF. And he was screwed out of the 2014 ASG.
Not sure why Munson ISNT in the Hall of Fame.
Jean Matrac
Munson’s numbers fall far short of Posey’s Over 11 seasons, Munson had a 116 OPS+ and 113 HRs. Posey has a 128 OPS+ and 140 HRs. If Posey were to retire now he doesn’t get in. But there’s optimism that Posey is finally healthy again and can put up numbers similar to 2015 – 2017. further separating himself from Munson statistically.
padreforlife
Munson was better than Posey
55bums
Not a Giants fan but acknowledge that for a period of time Posey was the best catcher in the game far and away; offensively, defensively and game calling
If some players can get into the Hall on short periods of near brilliance, why not Posey?