The San Francisco Giants have found a new third baseman, as the club on Saturday agreed to a contract with four-time Gold Glove winner Matt Chapman.
The Giants, who have been active in the free agent market late in the winter and now early in spring training, and Chapman agreed to terms on a three-year, $54 million deal, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.
The contract, which reunites the veteran infielder with new Giants manager Bob Melvin, includes opt-outs after each of the first two seasons.
Chapman, 31, has built a reputation as one of the best defensive third basemen in the game, having won four Gold Gloves and two Platinum Glove awards. But the Victorville, Calif., native also has some pop in his bat, having posted a career .240/.329/.461 slash line, which includes 155 home runs in seven MLB seasons spanning stints with the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays.
However, 2023 was a tough year at the plate for Chapman, who got off to a fast start in the first half but cratered with a .205 batting average and .663 OPS in the second half.
The Giants owned the worst team fielding percentage of all 30 MLB clubs in 2023, so Chapman figures to be a perfect salve for the defensive struggles.
San Francisco will open the 2024 season on March 28 against the Padres in San Diego.
