SF Giants reportedly add 4-time Gold Glove winner Matt Chapman on a 3-year deal

The wait is finally over. Perhaps, the rumor that was speculated more than any other is reportedly complete. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the SF Giants have added four-time Gold Glove winner Matt Chapman on a three-year, $54 million pact.

SF Giants reportedly add 4-time Gold Glove winner Matt Chapman on a 3-year deal

Passan notes that Chapman will have a chance to opt out in each of the first two seasons. There is a chance that this is a short-term move if he performs, but for now, they have added a key piece to the 2024 team.

Interestingly, the veteran third baseman rejected a qualifying offer earlier in the offseason. By signing him, the Giants will lose their second-highest pick and $500,000 in international bonus pool money. The Giants have not signed a player who has rejected a qualifying offer since Jeff Samardzija after the 2015 season.

The Giants know Chapman well. Team president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi served as an assistant general manager for the Oakland A's when they selected him in the first round of the 2014 draft. Plus, new skipper Bob Melvin managed Chapman for five seasons in Oakland before they each went their separate ways after the 2021 season. Melvin became manager of the San Diego Padres, whereas Chapman was shipped to the Toronto Blue Jays in a five-player deal.

Overall, Chapman has been a solid contributor with the bat. He has registered a .240/.329/.461 line (117 OPS+) with a 10.6 percent walk rate, 27.2 percent strikeout rate, and a .221 ISO across seven seasons. This includes four seasons in which he reached the 20-homer mark.

The 2023 season was more of the same for the 30-year-old as he posted a .755 OPS with 17 home runs in 581 plate appearances.

Perhaps, Chapman's best asset is his glove. He earned his fourth AL Gold Glove award in 2023 as he tallied +12 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and +4 Outs Above Average (OOA). The Giants pitching staff comfortably led baseball with a 48.7 percent ground ball rate last year and added another ground ball heavy pitcher in Jordan Hicks, so they will appreciate having Chapman's glove in the field.

Prior to the move, J.D. Davis was penciled in as the team's third baseman. The infield is crowded following the addition of Chapman. A move could be on the horizon. For now, the Giants get someone who already has a lot of fans in the organization.