The San Francisco Giants Are Carrying Three Catchers Again, Why?

Mar 4, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher

(29) during the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

When Spring broke, there were suggestions that the San Francisco Giants could carry three catchers due to Hector Sanchez’s creaky shoulder. The Giants’ brass insisted that Sanchez would be ready for Opening Day and recently caught six innings on the 29th of April, so, the idea of bringing along three catchers was a bit odd if Sanchez was as healthy as the Giants made one believe. Yet, come the final day of Spring Training Sanchez and the backup’s backup, Guillermo Quiroz, were found on the 25-man active roster.

With two off day’s during the seasons first fourteen games, there wasn’t a huge need for Buster Posey relief behind the dish as it’s doubtful he’ll find his way at first base more than three or four times in that span (at most), which has made the decision to carry a third catcher a bit perplexing.

For whatever reasons only known to him, Bruce Bochy has some wild infatuation with Sanchez’s bat as demonstrated during yesterday’s tilt when Sanchez was left on deck a half inning before Clayton Kershaw went all BOOMSHACKALACKA on everybody. Sanchez, the first bat off the bench? In fairness, it’s not as if there are much better alternatives – but that seems to speak more to the point here. Why are you carrying three catchers again?

If Hector Sanchez is as healthy as we’re told, then why do you need a backup for him? And if he’s not, why is he on the active roster? Even if he was to miss the seasons first two weeks, with the two scheduled days off, there wasn’t going to be a ton of time for him even if he was healthy.

No, Quiroz isn’t blocking some lethal bat or legs sitting in Fresno and no, he isn’t going to be around for more than a couple weeks at best, but in what should turn out to be a pretty close NL West race you never want to handicap yourself because of questionable roster decisions.