Longtime SF Giants catcher Buster Posey joins ownership group

In a bit of a surprise, the SF Giants announced a new addition to the ownership group on Wednesday. Longtime Giants catcher and three-time World Series champion Buster Posey has joined Giants' ownership group and will serve on the board of directors.

Longtime SF Giants catcher Buster Posey joins ownership group

According to the Giants, this marks the first time in baseball history that a former player has become an ownership partner in the organization and serve on the board of directions.

The 35-year-old surprisingly hung up his cleats last season after helping the Giants tally a franchise-record 107 wins. The right-handed bat slashed .304/.390/.499 (140 OPS+) with 18 home runs, 56 RBI, and 68 runs in 454 plate appearances.

The Giants held a team option for $22 million for this season that they planned to exercise, but the veteran backstop took the decision out of their hands by quietly stepping away. This capped off a career that should land him in the Hall of Fame in just a few years.

In 12 seasons, Posey registered a .302/.372/.460 line (129 OPS+) with 1,500 hits, 158 home runs, and 729 RBI while being worth 44.8 bWAR. His career résumé includes a Rookie of the Year award (2010), an MVP award (2012), one Gold Glove award, six Silver Sluggers, and seven All-Star selections to go along with three World Series parades. He was simply the best catcher of his era.

The Giants selected Posey with the fifth overall pick in the 2008 draft out of Florida State University in a move that changed the course of the organization. Three rounds later, the Giants also drafted Brandon Crawford out of UCLA, so it was really an incredible haul.

Giants fans have been critical about the team's lack of spending in recent seasons. The front office may run out of excuses this winter as they will boast more financial flexibility than just about every big-market team in baseball. Stars like Aaron Judge, Trea Turner, and Carlos Correa will be available this winter and money should not be an issue.

Posey will bring a new and impactful voice to the organization. The ownership group is well aware that this could be an important offseason and having Posey involved in decision-making should push the Giants in the right direction.