Former four-time Gold Glove Award winner at third base, Matt Chapman, has been reported to leave Toronto and fall in with the San Francisco Giants. As per MLB Network, he can even choose to opt-out after every season.
The ex-Blue Jays third baseman, Matt Chapman, reportedly signed up with the Giants for three years at $54 million. Heyman also mentioned that Chapman's annual pay would be structured as follows - $20 million in 2024, $18 million in 2025, and $16 million in 2026 unless terms in the contract are changed.
Bellinger and Chapman's deals
Just like the Chicago Cubs gave their outfielder Cody Bellinger a three-year, $80-million contract, Matt Chapman's deal is similar. Bellinger could earn $30 million this year and the same amount in 2025, with a chance for an additional $20 million in 2026.
On top of that, if he chooses, the former National League MVP can opt-out at the end of each season.
Agent Scott Boras managed both contracts. He still has pitchers Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, along with designated hitter J.D. Martinez, up for grabs in the market.
The 30-year-old former Blue Jays player, Matt Chapman, said no to a $20,325,000 deal from his old team on November 14th. As a result, the Giants are set to lose their second-round pick in the draft and pay out $500,000 from their funds set aside for international signings.
On the other hand, the Blue Jays will pocket an extra draft pick after the fourth round.
Chapman started powerfully, maintaining a .384 batting average and accumulating 21 runs in just one month. However, his performance declined as the season progressed, ending the second half with a .205 batting average, only five home runs, and 15 RBI.
Chapman's trades, awards and records
Matt Chapman ended last season with 17 homers and 54 runs batted in across 140 games. He also clinched the title of the American League's Player of the Month in April. After Chapman rejected the Blue Jays' offer, they'll get a draft pick once the fourth round of the 2024 MLB draft wraps up.
The Blue Jays first acquired Chapman from the Oakland Athletics in March 2022. Chapman also shares a connection with the Giants' new manager, Bob Melvin, as he spent five years playing under Melvin while at the Athletics.
At the peak of his athletic journey in 2019, Matt Chapman, a star player renowned for his right-handed hitting, achieved personal records. His outstanding performance led to 36 home runs and 91 runs batted in (RBI) for the Oakland team.
It was also the year when he made it to his first and only all-star team. He impressed everyone by finishing in the top six for the American League's Most Valuable Player (AL MVP) award.
Chapman's stats and signings
In 2021, Chapman's OPS declined to .716, resulting in 202 strikeouts. Following this, Oakland, aiming to rebuild their team, traded him to Toronto in exchange for four players.
Across his seven-year career in the major league, Chapman holds a .240 average with 155 home runs and a .790 OPS. He even landed seventh place in the AL MVP vote in 2018.
The Athletics picked Chapman as the 25th choice in the 2014 amateur draft from Cal State Fullerton. He spent the last two seasons playing under a two-year deal worth $25 million, earning him a $12.5 million yearly salary.
J.D. Davis, currently the Giants' third baseman, also has the flexibility to cover first base and left field. Digging into last year's stats, Chapman boasted impressive numbers - a .307 batting average and .890 OPS when squared off against left-handed hurlers. Regrettably, Davis lagged against the same opposition, with a .247 batting average and .728 OPS.
Chapman is joining the Giants as the fourth free agent who's signed a deal recently. Other additions include outfielder Jorge Soler with a three-year deal worth $43 million, former Blue Jay Jordan Hicks, who agreed to a four-year contract worth $44 million, and catcher Tom Murphy who signed a two-year agreement for $8.25 million.
