Yastrzemski’s only sure thing in S.F.’s outfield
One of the beauties of the Big Red Machine was that Sparky Anderson didn’t need to draw up a different lineup every day. Back when the Reds were thumping pitchers in the mid1970s, the same lineup could last all week.
Giants manager Gabe Kapler doesn’t have that luxury. Who does?
Kapler has catcher Buster Posey back in the fold and the Brandons (Crawford and Belt) and Evan Longoria occupying three of four infield spots, at least on most days. Already, Kapler is making it known he plans to occasionally rest players to keep them strong.
The outfield is another story. The only everyday player doesn’t have just one position. Mike Yastrzemski will move between right and center. Otherwise, every day could bring a different alignment depending on matchups, platoons, hot and cold streaks and aches and pains.
“It’s a challenge, but a pretty exciting one,” Kapler said Tuesday from Scottsdale Stadium. “We have players who can do everything. Now, that doesn’t mean we have a superstar individual at every position, but we have ways to combine the talents of our players to have productive majorleague players at every position.”
This much is known, barring injuries:
⏩ Yastrzemski, the best player on the team, will play as often as Kapler and Co. deem fit.
⏩ Alex Dickerson, who finished strong last year after a slow start, will play left when opponents start a righthanded pitcher.
⏩ Mauricio Dubón is the No. 1 center fielder, but the Giants have plenty of available bodies at the position.
“We have a strong belief between (Austin) Slater, Dubón, Yaz and LaMonte Wade that we have somebody who can take down regular reps for us in center field,” Kapler said.
“We certainly have a ton of confidence in Dubón’s ability to do that. He demonstrated last year he could make an easy and smooth transition, and now he’s demonstrating that if we want him back on the dirt, through his work early, he can do that as well.”
There’s your caveat. Though Kapler provided a laundry list of center fielders — let’s not forget Steven Duggar or centerfield prospects Heliot Ramos and Hunter Bishop, who also are in camp — he hinted of Dubón’s overall value, which might be best suited for a superutility role.
Had the Giants acquired a prototypical center fielder such as Jackie Bradley Jr. (did we mention he’s still unsigned?), Dubón could have floated around the diamond based on that day’s needs. He’s that good of an athlete and that priceless for a manager.
Until further notice, Dubón is expected to spend most of his time in center, but that could change. Enter Wade, acquired from the Twins three weeks ago for his plate discipline, contact rate and defensive versatility.
Although talent evaluators have projected Wade as more of a corner outfielder, Kapler wants to see for himself and said Tuesday that he plans to start the lefthanded hitter in center in one of the first two Cactus League exhibitions.
“We’ll see what we have,” Kapler said. “We’ll see what type of defender he is out there in the middle. I spent a lot of time thinking about him this offseason before we acquired him.”
Furthermore, Kapler spoke with several folks he trusts who have seen Wade, including Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli and Wade’s TripleA manager, Joel Skinner.
“They all thought he was a solid defender and can handle himself in center,” Kapler said. “We’re going to get a good, long look and try to figure out if he’s best positioned to play right and left exclusively or a little center as well.”
If Wade works out in center, the Giants could have three lefty swingers in the outfield: Dickerson, Wade and Yastrzemski. Against lefties, Dubón and Slater could join Yastrzemski.
Though Darin Ruf platooned in left with Dickerson last season, he probably slipped on the depth chart with the addition of Wade and health of Slater, who couldn’t play defense the final weeks because of injuries and served as a designated hitter.
There’s no National League DH this year (for now), so the challenge to get reps for all the outfielders will be more of a challenge, something that might not have concerned Sparky Anderson but excites Gabe Kapler.
MESA, Ariz. — A’s manager Bob Melvin spent part of Wednesday morning watching from behind the mound as lefthander Nik Turley threw live batting practice to hitters. Then, he moved to an adjacent field to observe another lefthander, Cole Irvin.
Both are new to the A’s; Oakland acquired Turley from the Pirates and Irvin from the Phillies in January, each for cash considerations. Both pitched in relief last season and joined the A’s when their bullpen looked thin after freeagent departures.
The A’s have since added several veteran relievers, including sinker specialist Adam Kolarek, who — like setup man Jake Diekman — is lefthanded. The A’s carried just two lefthanded relievers in 2020, the first season with a threebatterminimum rule. Still, Melvin said the A’s aren’t wedded to that structure.
“We picked them up a little earlier in the offseason when the bullpen looked a little different,” Melvin said. “But it doesn’t mean they’re not impressing and it doesn’t mean things can’t happen — and you always need depth, too. So what looks to be a fairly full bullpen right now, you never know how it’s going to play out in the end.”
Turley, 31, pitched in 25 games last season for Pittsburgh. His ERA was 4.98, but opponents hit .173 against him — righthanders .151 in 53 atbats. Irvin, 27, made 19 appearances with the Phillies over the past two seasons, 16 in relief, with a 6.75 ERA in 451⁄3 innings. Irvin has a minorleague option remaining, Turley does not.
Another lefthander who could be a bullpen option in 2021 is A.J. Puk. The 2016 firstround pick, who’s returning this spring from shoulder surgery, threw a bullpen session Wednesday morning with Melvin watching.
“We’re obviously looking with A.J. at health,” Melvin said. “This is the third session in a row that he looked real free and easy.”
Mitch Moreland,
⏩ whose oneyear, $2.25 million deal with the A’s became official
Tuesday, met with reporters on a video call Wednesday and was asked to explain his success at the Coliseum. Moreland, likely to be used mostly as a designated hitter with the A’s, has a .902 OPS and 15 home runs in 53 career games in Oakland.
“I can’t put a finger on what it is that’s helped me see the ball there or have success there, but I definitely see the ball better there,” Moreland said. “I don’t know if it’s the backdrop or just — I don’t know. I feel comfortable in the box and it seems like I see the ball pretty well. Hopefully, I can build on what I’ve done there so far and help the team out this year.”
⏩ Outfielder Ka’ai Tom ,a Rule 5 draft selection from Cleveland, has yet to hit the field with the A’s as he’s “struggling with a little bit of an oblique injury right now,” Melvin said, adding that Tom will be out likely until at least after the first week of Cactus League games. As a Rule 5 pick, Tom must make the roster out of camp or be offered back to Cleveland.
⏩ The A’s announced the trade of outfielder Dustin Fowler, who was designated for assignment Monday to clear a 40man roster spot for closer Trevor Rosenthal, to the Pirates in exchange for cash considerations.
⏩ Third baseman Matt Chapman stepped in for a few live BP pitches against minorleague righthander Argenis Angulo and seemed to be impressed, nodding and complimenting Angulo as he left the batter’s box.
⏩ Melvin said several A’s prospects swung the bat well, naming shortstops Logan Davidson and Nick Allen, outfielder Greg Deichmann and catcher Tyler Soderstrom.
Zion Williamson scored 32 points in his first game since being named a firsttime AllStar, and the Pelicans beat Detroit 128118 in New Orleans on Wednesday night.
“I didn’t know I was supposed to feel different, to be honest, because everyone’s been asking that,” Williamson said in reference to how AllStar recognition affected his mindset on the court. “If you know me, my goal is to go out there and try to win every game.”
Williamson had many highlights to enjoy against Detroit. There were several quick, dribbling spin moves to elude multiple defenders before he finished near the rim with floaters or layups. There were also thunderous onehanded dunks. One flourish featured his throw down of Lonzo Ball’s alleyoop lob.
Williamson made 13 of 18 shots in reaching the 30point mark for the eighth time this season.
“He’s a generational talent where you don’t know what you’re going to get from him every single night,” said New Orleans forward Brandon Ingram, who scored 27 points to go with eight assists and seven rebounds.
Jazz 114, Lakers 89: Rudy Gobert and Jordan Clarkson each scored 18 points and host Utah routed the defending NBA champions. Utah won for the 22nd time in its past 24 games, with 20 of those wins by double-digits. LeBron James scored 19 points to lead the Lakers, who lost their fourth straight.
Hornets 124, Suns 121: Malik Monk scored 29 points, LaMelo Ball added 20 points and eight assists and visiting Charlotte cooled off Phoenix, which lost for the second time in 11 games. Suns guard Devin Booker (33 points) missed an off-balance 3-point try at the buzzer with replays showing Gordon Hayward made contact with Booker’s arm. There was no foul call and the play wasn’t reviewed.
Hawks 127, Celtics 112: Danilo Gallinari set a franchise record with 10 3-pointers in a 38-point spree for host Atlanta. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 17 points. Cavaliers 112, Rockets 96: Jarrett Allen tied his career high with 26 points, grabbed 18 rebounds and blocked four shots to help host Cleveland hand Houston its ninth straight loss.
Bulls 133, T’wolves 126: Zach LaVine celebrated his first All-Star selection with 35 points against his original NBA team, helping host Chicago beat Minnesota in overtime. Minnesota lost for the 10th time in 11 games despite a second-half rally while playing for the second straight night under new head coach Chris Finch. Thunder 102, Spurs 99: Shai GilgeousAlexander scored a career-high 42 points, and Lu Dort hit a 3-pointer as time expired to lift host Oklahoma City past San Antonio. San Antonio committed a turnover with 3.9 seconds left, giving Oklahoma City the ball with the score tied. Dejounte Murray had 27 points for the Spurs.
Heat 116, Raptors 108: Jimmy Butler scored 27 points and host Miami won its fourth straight game. Butler also had 10 assists and eight rebounds. Ex-Warriors cut: The Rockets released DeMarcus Cousins after just 25 games. He had signed a $2.3 million contract with Houston in the offseason and was averaging 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds this season playing in a reserve role . ... Backup guard Quinn Cook has been waived by the Lakers. L.A. announced the move Wednesday, shortly before Cook’s contract would have been guaranteed. He averaged 2.1 points while appearing in 16 games this season for the Lakers.