Report: Matt Chapman to opt out of Giants contract this offseason

Aug 20, 2024, 1:30 PM

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 15: Matt Chapman #26 of the San Francisco Giants standing on sec...

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

After waiting to sign a contract until Spring Training this past offseason, Matt Chapman is in line for an earlier payday this winter.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the veteran third baseman is expected to opt out of the final three years of his contract and enter free agency following this season.

Chapman has been the San Francisco Giants’ best player this season, posting a team-leading 5.6 Wins Above Replacement amid a strong year on both sides of the diamond.

The Southern California native will look to cash in on his strong 2024 campaign this offseason, with Nightengale reporting that Chapman plans to exercise his opt-out clause and seek to build on the three years and $55 million remaining on his current deal:

Giants third baseman Matt Chapman is expected to opt out of his contract after the season, knowing that he can earn more on the open market than $17 million in 2025, $18 million in 2026, with a mutual $20 million option in 2027. Chapman is having his best full season since 2019 and wants to stay in San Francisco, with the Giants expected to talk to him about an extension.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale – August 19, 2024

More on Giants 3B Matt Chapman

For Chapman, the decision to opt-out is an easy one.

Not only is the four-time Gold Glove Award winner a client of super-agent Scott Boras, but this could be the final opportunity for the 31-year-old to cash in on a lucrative, long-term free-agent deal.

Over 124 games, Chapman has hit 20 home runs (leads team), 62 RBI (leads team), and a .247 batting average while ranking among league leaders in defensive runs saved at third base.

While Chapman will enter free agency this winter, the one-time All-Star is interested in remaining in a Giants uniform for the long haul.

“The Giants, I love being here, and they know that I want to be here,” Chapman said last week in an interview with The Mercury News’ Evan Webeck. They know that I’m open to that. I’m kind of just waiting on them.”

For San Francisco, retaining a talent like Chapman should rank among their to-do list this offseason, and what better way to persuade an impending free agent to stay than make a playoff run?

With the Giants trailing the final National League Wild Card spot by 3.5 games and just over one month remaining, it’s shaping up to be an interesting sprint to the finish line for Chapman and San Francisco.