San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
UNIT BREAKDOWNS
Lineup
This could be 60 games, 60 lineups. With platooning and daily matchups (based on the opposing pitcher), manager Gabe Kapler won’t have anything close to a set batting order. Whether Evan Longoria opens on the injured list or not, expect very few lineup constants. Mike Yastrzemski, for one. And perhaps Brandon Crawford and Wilmer Flores, who’ll play second and (against lefties) first. Mauricio Dubón is taking reps in center and at second and could be seen all over the field. Hunter Pence showed last year he’s a much better hitter against lefties. As for sharing time at catcher without Buster Posey, the Giants are considering Tyler Heineman (switch hitter), Rob Brantly (bats left) and Chadwick Tromp (bats right).
Rotation
We heard it over and over from management. “This is not going to be a traditional fiveman rotation.” Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija, Kevin Gausman and Drew Smyly are starters, yes. But especially in the early season, no one will pitch deep into a game. They’ll be pulled before they could be eligible for a win (five innings). Logan Webb has been designated a bulk pitcher, meaning he’d follow a starter and be available for three or four innings. An opener will be used, a reliever who’ll start and pitch just the first inning, maybe part of the second. Tyler Anderson has recovered from knee surgery and could assume any number of roles.
Bench
Flores is an option at second. Or Yolmer Sanchez, who won a Gold Glove last year with the White Sox. Or Donovan Solano. Or Dubón, who’s a natural middle infielder and learning to play center. Same flexibility in the outfield. Expect to see plenty of Jaylin Davis and Alex Dickerson out there. Austin Slater and Steven Duggar are in the mix. Speedster Billy Hamilton is an unknown, recently coming off the injured list. Pablo Sandoval, postTommy John surgery, has been playing both infield corners. The designated hitter rule gives Kapler more flexibility. Darin Ruf, Dickerson and Sandoval are among the DH candidates.
Bullpen
Management hasn’t designated a closer, but lefty Tony Watson and submariner Tyler Rogers, a righthander, appear to be the best options to close out games. Trevor Gott has experience pitching late innings. The Giants miss Reyes Moronta, who’s rehabbing from shoulder surgery. Other pitchers have been told to be flexible, but there aren’t many sure things. The list of options is long: righties Trevor Cahill, Shaun Anderson, Carlos Navas, Dereck Rodriguez, Sam Coonrod, Andrew Triggs and Dany Jimenez and lefties Tyler Anderson, Andrew Suarez, Conner Menez, Sam Selman, Wandy Peralta and Caleb Baragar. You pick ’em.
John Shea covers the Giants for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: jshea@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JohnSheaHey