Here’s an interesting one via Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area.
During the end of last season when Brandon Belt, Buster Posey, and Pablo Sandoval were all on the shelf, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said he considered giving Madison Bumgarner a start at first base.
“We got in a situation where I needed some help there, and I was thinking about putting Bumgarner (at first) and maybe giving him a start there,” Bochy told NBC Sports Bay Area. “We were out of it, but I was concerned about his health. I just couldn’t do it because if something happened there, I’ve got to live with it. I’ve got his career to think about.
“But he was so excited about the possibility. He was wearing me out. I really wanted to do it, but if something happens then I’m looking for work.”
Bochy elected to ride primarily with rookie catcher Aramis Garcia at first, who impressed in his first 19 games as a big leaguer.
Bumgarner is known for his ability with the bat, and has posted an OPS above .700 in three separate seasons. Though it’s unlikely to happen in the future, Bochy told Pavlovic he remains intrigued by the scenario.
“I would be really, really curious to see — if you threw him out there every day at first base, if you got him ready to play — what his numbers would be at the end of the year,” Bochy said. “I think he would hit over 20 home runs.”