As Posey opts out, Giants begin new era under Gabe Kapler

San Francisco Giants are beginning a new era under manr Gabe Kapler with many of familiar faces who were part of all that winning last decade.

And one glaring absence: Buster Posey.

veteran catcher has opted out of season after adopting twin girls who were born prematurely on July 3.

Giants are counting on everybody who is still here being better in this sprint of a season to get San Francisco back in mix as a contender, even if body else expects it from this group.

“ cool thing about this is we’re going to start this 2020 campaign in a pennant race so every game takes on an added level of importance,” Kapler said.

If Giants are going to make strides after finishing 77-85 last year, keeping key players healthy will be paramount — from Brandon Belt at first base to key starters Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija on mound.

“It's a completely different offseason when you're t battling an injury,” outfielder Mike Yastrzemski said. “It's great to have guys who are comfortable coming in and t having to worry about spending an extra three hours here every day just to try and make sure y can go out and play."

BELT'S HEEL

Belt needed a walking boot and was sidelined early in summer camp because of a sore heel that Kapler didn't expect to slow him significantly.

“ problem that we’ve had over past couple years was injuries, so having everybody back and everybody healthy, we really believe that we’re going to have a shot to make a run this year, ” Belt said. “It’s just a matter of believing it ourselves and going out re having goal in mind to win baseball games. I really think we have a good chance to do that this year more so than past few years.”

MISSING POSEY

Rob Brantly and Tyler Heineman are catchers who will w be competing to start after y expected to fight for backup job. Both spent most of 2019 at Triple-A.

Posey came out swinging from first day of spring training, a positive sign his surgically repaired right hip was finally healthy again after it bored him last season. six-time All-Star had season-ending right hip surgery in August 2018, n he batted just .257 with seven home runs last year.

Giants will miss his bat and presence.

OLD STANDBYS

Hunter Pence and Pablo Sandoval are a couple of fan favorites who returned for ar go with Giants this year — and ir experience was felt in clubhouse and on field from Day 1.

Pence spent a season away with Texas. He batted .297 with 18 homers, 17 doubles and 59 RBIs over 83 games with Rangers.

He was part of Giants’ 2012 and 2014 World Series champion teams, while Sandoval was 2012 World Series MVP.

switch-hitting Sandoval returned to summer camp ticeably heavier following layoff. He is working back from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in early September.

NEW LOOK

Infielder Wilmer Flores will provide Kapler with flexibility to mix and match and provide players with key days off and also is expected to be a regular in lineup at first base against left-handed pitching.

San Francisco kws plenty about Flores, who batted .317 with nine homers, 18 doubles and 37 RBIs over 89 games for Arizona last season.

MANR TO WATCH

All eyes will be on Kapler and how he leads a mix of proven veterans and young players while beginning his first season managing Giants following two disappointing years in Philadelphia.

Kapler, who was fired Oct. 10 by Philadelphia after going 161-163 with Phillies, has put his players' health and well-being first and committed himself to keeping everybody comfortable during such strange circumstances.

He follows Bruce Bochy, who retired after 13 years in San Francisco and three World Series championships.

COMPETITION

Teenr Marco Lucia has made an impression in camp and demonstrated why he is club's top prospect at 18 with a mighty home run swing. talented international addition from Dominican Republic isn't only youngster turning heads.

Everybody expected more competition to make roster out of spring training months ago, at nearly every spot on diamond.

Im credits: AP