SF Giants Free Agency Rumors: Crawford & Chapman

Hot Stove season has arrived.

The Major League Baseball offseason has officially started, meaning we could start seeing fireworks at any time as free agents begin meeting with teams and reaching agreements on new contracts.

On the heels of a second-straight season that ended without a postseason berth, the San Francisco Giants have already started to shake things up during the early stages of the offseason.

Gabe Kapler is out as manager, and longtime former Oakland Athletics skipper Bob Melvin is in as the Giants hope to turn the page on a rough two years in the Bay.

This week, all 30 MLB general managers met in Arizona to discuss potential trades, meet with player agents, and much more.

Although the meetings were cut short by a stomach virus that affected “more than 30” executives, we learned a few tidbits about what San Francisco has been up to thus far.

To clarify, Brandon Crawford hasn’t committed to playing or not playing next year, which is explained better in story. It all depends on what he hears from teams. He’s listening for now. Of course, it needs to be the right situation: https://t.co/kJYNNCiIpb via @sfchronicle

— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) November 8, 2023

SF Giants Free Agency Rumors

Brandon Crawford

Following a memorable 13-year career that saw Crawford win two World Series championships, make three All-Star teams, and win four Gold Glove Awards, it made sense for the shortstop to ride off into the sunset–especially after the heartwarming ovation he received during the Giants’ final game of the season.

While many expect that Crawford will call it a career, the soon-to-be 37-year-old is still contemplating his next steps, per his agent Joel Wolfe.

According to Wolfe, teams have reached out to Crawford to ask if he would consider leaving San Francisco, the team that he grew up idolizing before becoming the greatest shortstop in franchise history.

It’s currently unknown what Crawford’s plans are for 2024, but Giants president Farhan Zaidi told the media that top prospect Marco Luciano will open the season as the team’s starting shortstop.

“As we sit here now, we want to give Marco Luciano the chance to be the everyday guy next year,” Zaidi said on October 3rd.

Crawford’s best days are likely behind him, and any reunion with San Francisco would see the beloved star in a reserve role.

Matt Chapman

Now that Melvin has joined the Giants, could the manager’s former third baseman also return to the Bay?

According to The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly, Chapman was seen chatting with Melvin during the GM meetings in Arizona this week.

Free-agent third baseman Matt Chapman attended the GM Meetings today. He spent several minutes chatting with Giants manager Bob Melvin. 👀

— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) November 8, 2023

Chapman, who met with at least one team during the meetings, spent five years playing under Melvin in Oakland before the A’s traded the two-time Platinum Glove Award winner to Toronto before the 2022 season.

San Francisco has deep pockets and will be heavily involved in the free agent market, and adding a slick-fielding third baseman with pop like Chapman certainly makes sense on paper.

Chapman, who just won his fourth Gold Glove Award after another impressive season at the hot corner, has hit 24+ home runs in four of his seven MLB seasons.

A low batting average (.240 career average) and a high strikeout rate (28.4% in 2023) could cause teams to balk at committing to Chapman long-term, but there is no better fielding third baseman currently in baseball today.

According to MLB Trade Rumors’ contract predictions for this free agent class, Chapman, 30, is in line to receive a new deal in the neighborhood of $150 million over six years.

MLB Offseason Schedule

• November 6th – MLB free agency begins
• November 17th – Non-tender deadline
• December 6th – Rule 5 Draft
• Mid-February – Spring Training begins

SF Giants Schedule

• February 13-15th – Pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training workouts
• February TBD – Full squad workouts
• Saturday, February 24th – Spring Training opener vs. Chicago Cubs

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