Giants: Five players who won’t be on the Opening Day roster

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JUNE 08: Aramis Garcia #16 of the San Francisco Giants is congratulated by third base coach Ron Wotus #23 after Garcia hit a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the bottom of the third inning of a Major League Baseball game at Oracle Park on June 8, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

C Aramis Garcia

Aramis Garcia was once an intriguing prospect and a potential long-term piece. Then Joey Bart came along, and he became 100% expendable.

While he still offers some upside and remaining team control, Garcia alone is not going to command much of a return on the trade market. A PTBNL in exchange for him is likely the best the Giants will be able to do.

However, he’s a perfect filler piece in a larger scale trade.

In 2019, the Giants chose not to give him the backup job, and instead went with veterans Erik Kratz, and eventually Stephen Vogt. Vogt was fantastic, and if I’m the Giants, I would attempt to keep him for one more season to hold the tide until Bart comes up. Vogt has value beyond just being a backup catcher, as he can also play first base and left field in a pinch.

That versatility. combined with plate performance and overall veteran presence is why someone like Garcia won’t be on the Opening Day roster. Garcia attempted to play other positions last season and did a decent job, but he has yet to prove he can handle major league pitching.

In 2019, he posted a 32 wRC+ while hitting just .143.

*insert the ‘Not Great Bob’ gif*

I like Garcia, and I’m all for homegrown talent and growing your roster through your farm system. The problem is there are a couple of better catchers in the farm system, and one of them might just be a top 10 prospect in all of baseball going into spring training.

With Bart on the cusp, you’re much more likely to see a savvy, versatile veteran fill the backup role than an unproven guy like Garcia who still needs reps.