SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants have made upgrading their defense an offseason priority, but there are two spots where they remain elite.
Brandon Crawford and Buster Posey were nominated for Gold Glove Awards on Thursday. Crawford will be trying for his third straight Gold Glove; Posey is looking for his second in a row.
Joe Panik, last year's Gold Glove second baseman, was not among the nominees. A year after defensive metrics helped boost his case, the numbers had Panik well below average, something Giants coaches disputed throughout the season. Brandon Belt's metrics were league-leading after July, but a concussion in early August kept him from being a finalist, and might have kept him from a longtime goal of winning a Gold Glove.
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Crawford is up against Corey Seager of the Dodgers and Philadelphia's Freddy Galvis. Seager led the trio in Defensive Runs Saved, but Crawford was right behind him and should be a good bet for another trophy.
Posey's case is more interesting. He didn't catch much after Belt got hurt, which likely will hurt his cause against the Cardinals' Yadier Molina and Reds' Tucker Barnhart. A newcomer, Barnhart is an interesting dark horse, with traditional and advanced metrics that were eye-popping.
The Giants did not have any outfielders get nominated.