San Francisco Giants: A way-too-early 2020 Opening Day roster prediction

SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants, right, is congratulated by Brandon Crawford #35 after scoring during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park July 22, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants, right, is congratulated by Brandon Crawford #35 after scoring during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park July 22, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
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San Francisco Giants
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JUNE 23: Stephen Vogt #21 of the San Francisco Giants bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the MLB game at Chase Field on June 23, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Giants 3-2 in 10 innings. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

San Francisco Giants bench: These guys could see significant action, despite filling backup roles.

C Stephen Vogt: $3 million (projected re-signing)

If a $3 million projected salary seems light for Vogt, consider that Brian McCann rejoined the Atlanta Braves on a one-year, $2 million deal last winter. For the sake of the catcher position and the clubhouse, re-signing Vogt should be a priority.

IF Donovan Solano: $1.2 million

One of the biggest surprises of 2019, Solano signed a minor league deal and hit .330/.360/.456 with 18 extra-base hits in 228 plate appearances in his first MLB action since 2016. He’ll serve as an insurance policy for Dubon and could push Crawford for more significant playing time.

IF/OF Brock Holt: $4.5 million (projected signing)

Team president Farhan Zaidi values versatility, and Holt is one of the most versatile players in baseball. The 31-year-old hit .297/.369/.402 for a 101 OPS+ in 295 plate appearances while playing six different positions in 2019. A two-year, $9 million deal would be money well spent.

IF/OF Austin Slater: $560,000

Slater was quietly having a terrific season before a brutal final month cratered his stats. The 26-year-old hit .281/.396/.529 with 17 extra-base hits in 144 plate appearances in July and August, before going 6-for-47 (.128 BA) with 19 strikeouts in 48 plate appearances in September. He checks the versatile box and has some offensive upside, so he’ll be given every chance.

OF Joey Rickard: $1.1 million

ATF contributor Jeff Young made a compelling case for Rickard to serve as the right-handed-hitting platoon partner to the lefty-swinging Dickerson, and I’m sold. There are a lot of alternatives down on the farm if this decision goes sideways.

Schedule