San Francisco Giants could have creative solution for first base
By David Hill
The San Francisco Giants find themselves in need of a first baseman. They may have found an unexpected option at the position in free agency.
According to Hector Gomez, the Giants are interested in Gary Sanchez. Considering that Sanchez is the top catcher left in free agency, and the Giants do have a former top prospect in Joey Bart behind the plate, this would seemingly be an odd match.
Gary Sanchez makes sense for San Francisco Giants in multiple ways
The problem is that Bart has not exactly lived up to his lofty prospect status. He had his best showing in the majors last season, posting a .215/.296/.364 batting line with 11 homers in his 291 plate appearances, but also spent a portion of the season in Triple-A and struck out 112 times. While he performed better after being called back up, Bart also faded over the final month of the season with just ten hits in his 63 plate appearances from September 1 to the end of the year, striking out 28 times.
The Giants also have questions at first base now that Brandon Belt is gone. Wilmer Flores is currently listed atop the depth chart at the position and is hardly the type of player one would envision as a primary first baseman. He has a solid bat as a utility man, but that is really what his role should be.
Sanchez has not exactly lit the world on fire with the bat either. He posted a .205/.282/.377 batting line with 16 homers and 24 doubles in his 471 plate appearances last season, hardly the type of production that would inspire any confidence. Sanchez has not exactly been productive since the beginning of the 2020 campaign, posting a .195/.287/.397 batting line in his 1089 plate appearances.
However, Sanchez still has some power in his bat, something that the Giants are going to need. And it is possible that he could fill a hybrid defensive role, serving as a backup to Bart behind the plate while getting time at first. Sanchez himself my not be the answer, but using him as part of a mix at the first base could help solve some of the Giants concerns. If he can get back on track, he could be exactly what the Giants need in the lineup.
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The San Francisco Giants are reportedly considering bringing Gary Sanchez on board. He could be the perfect fit on their roster.