Matt Chapman to Giants: A Three-Year Deal with Big Implications for the Team
In a surprising turn of events, the San Francisco Giants have reportedly reached an agreement with Matt Chapman, one of the top position players available in the free-agent market. According to a source close to the deal, Chapman will sign a three-year contract worth $54 million. While the Giants have not yet confirmed the agreement, it is believed that the star third baseman will earn $20 million in the first year, followed by $18 million and $16 million in the subsequent two years, with opt-outs available after each of the first two years.
Chapman’s arrival in San Francisco has generated significant buzz among baseball enthusiasts and has raised several interesting questions about the potential implications for the Giants. With this signing, the Giants demonstrate their commitment to strengthening their roster and competing at a high level in the coming seasons.
The 2023 season started off with great promise for Chapman, as he was named the AL Player of the Month for April. During this period, he showcased his exceptional skills at the plate, leading all hitters with an impressive 1.152 OPS and a 219 weighted runs created plus (wRC+). However, his performance didn’t maintain this level of excellence throughout the season. After April 30, Chapman struggled, posting a .205 batting average, a .298 on-base percentage, and a .361 slugging percentage. These numbers are a significant drop-off from his early-season dominance and led to him being dropped in the batting order and even batting eighth during the team’s postseason games.
Despite his slump, Chapman’s ability to make strong contact with the ball remained evident. His 56.2% hard-hit rate trailed only Aaron Judge among