With Japanese sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto and superstar Shohei Ohtani off the board and both joining the Los Angeles Dodgers, it is anticipated that the MLB free agency market will heat up soon after the new year.
The San Francisco Giants are anticipated to be in the running for a number of the top free agents still available, having missed out on Ohtani and Yamamoto.
Since the beginning of free agency, Matt Chapman’s name has been associated with San Francisco, and going into 2024, the third baseman seems to be at the top of the Giants’ wish list for free agents.
The 30-year-old is thought to favor San Francisco, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
Chapman began his career in the Bay Area under Bob Melvin, the next manager of the Giants, while both players were with the Oakland Athletics from 2017 to 2021.
In the infield, San Francisco could use some assistance, particularly at third base, where the Giants finished 27th in 2023 in terms of defensive runs saved (-11 runs).
Further information on free agent 3B Matt Chapman
Chapman had previously been connected to San Francisco.
The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly reports that in November, during the first week of free agency, Chapman and Melvin were observed conversing during the GM meetings in Arizona.
During the meetings, Chapman had discussions with at least one team. He played for Oakland under Melvin for five years until the A’s traded the two-time Platinum Glove Award winner to Toronto prior to the 2022 campaign.
A pop-filled, slick-fielding third baseman like Chapman makes sense on paper, and San Francisco, with its deep wallets, will be active in the free agent market.
After yet another strong season at the hot corner, Chapman, who recently won his fourth Gold Glove Award, has hit 24 or more home runs in four of his seven MLB seasons.
Teams may be reluctant to commit to Chapman in the long run because to his poor batting average (.240 career average) and high strikeout percentage (28.4% in 2023), but there isn’t a better third baseman in MLB right now.
Based on MLB Trade Rumors’ projections for this free agent class, Chapman, 30, is expected to sign a new contract worth approximately $150 million spread over six years.