The San Francisco Giants have extended shortstop Brandon Crawford on a six-year deal, they announced Tuesday.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, Crawford received a $75 million total guarantee in the extension. The deal covers his next two arbitration seasons and four free agent seasons. Crawford will make $5.8 million in 2016, $8 million in 2017, and $15 million from 2018-2021, according to Jamie McCauley of the Associated Press. Crawford's deal includes a full no-trade clause. The soon-to-be 29-year-old Crawford established himself as one of the best shortstop in the game this past season. Already known as a good defender, Crawford's bat really came alive in 2015, hitting .256/.321/.462 with 21 home runs and 84 RBIs over 561 plate appearances. He was named to his first career All-Star team. According to FanGraphs, he was worth 4.7 WAR. Crawford and the Giants had reportedly expressed interest in completing an extension prior to this deal. Drafted in the 4th round of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Giants, Crawford has been with San Francisco during his entire professional career and ultimately wanted to stay, forgoing free agency down the road. If Crawford can keep his bat at the same level as it was in 2015, this deal does look like a steal for the Giants. However, it also could be a risk for them, as all contracts are guaranteed. Crawford is given some financial stability with the deal. --Devan Fink
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Mike Leake might not be the flashiest starting pitcher on the 2016 free agent market, especially with the likes of Jordan Zimmermann, David Price, and Zack Grienke out there, but he might be the one that provides the biggest, most unheralded impact.
The Giants, who traded for Leake from the Reds over the summer, have already reportedly shown interest in Leake's services for 2016 and beyond. Today, however, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Diamondbacks will also show interest in the right-hander when he becomes a free agent this fall. Leake was acquired midway through the season to try and give the Giants a playoff push. That has since been spoiled; the Dodgers won the National League West and the Giants could not catch either the Pirates or the Cubs in the Wild Card race. Regardless, the 27-year-old Leake has been a solid addition, going 2-5 with a 4.07 ERA in 55 1/3 innings pitched, posting a 29 to 13 strikeout-to-walk ratio. On the year in full, Leake's turned in his third consecutive sub-4.00 ERA season, working to a 3.70 ERA over 192 innings with the Reds and Giants. For Leake, what you see is what you get. He's going to throw 180 to 200 innings and give you solid results. That's what makes his next contract a hard one to truly pinpoint. Considering his age, it wouldn't be hard to see Leake sign a contract in the James Shields four-year, $75 million range. The Diamondbacks represent an interesting suitor for Leake. The team has a youthful and somewhat inexperienced rotation featuring Patrick Corbin, Robbie Ray, and Rubby De La Rosa, among others. Adding Leake would represent an experienced veteran to help lead the staff into the future as the team starts to build itself back to contention. --Devan Fink
Three trades were finalized in the final hours of the August waiver trading/playoff eligibility deadline...
The Giants have needed an outfielder for some time and on Thursday, they got one.
San Francisco announced the acquisition of Marlon Byrd from the Cincinnati Reds, obtaining the outfield help they so desperately needed since the trade deadline. The Giants also acquired cash considerations to help pay Byrd’s contract. In return, the Reds received Double-A right-hander Stephen Johnson. The soon-to-be 38-year-old will be joining his ninth Major League organization of his 14 year career. With the deal, Byrd has endured his third trade since 2013, going from the Mets to the Pirates, the Phillies to the Reds, and now the Reds to Giants. The Giants have had a plethora of injuries in the outfield this year, seeing all three of their starting outfielders go down to injuries at one time or another. The team currently has right fielder Hunter Pence and center fielder Angel Pagan on the DL with oblique and knee injuries, respectively. Byrd will only be a two month rental for San Francisco, as they hope he will help them make a playoff push. He is in the final year of a two-year, $16 million deal signed with Philadelphia prior to 2014. While he does have a vesting option for 2016, he is unlikely to reach the plate appearance milestone he needs to get it. On the season, Byrd is hitting .237/.286/.448/.735 (98 OPS+) with 19 home runs and 42 RBIs in 388 plate appearances. --Devan Fink
The Philadelphia Phillies appear motivated to move second baseman Chase Utley before the August 31 waiver trade deadline. Many rumors have circulated as to which teams are interested in trading for him. Here is the latest regarding Utley.
According to multiple reports, the Cubs, Angels, Yankees, Giants, and Dodgers have been mentioned as the likeliest destinations for Utley. The Astros are also receiving "credible buzz" about being in on him, as Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly reported this evening. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that executives involved in discussions for Utley believe that he will choose to go to either the Cubs or the Angels. Utley has 10-and-5 no-trade rights, meaning that because he has spent at least 10 years in the Major Leagues and at least five with the same team (Philadelphia), he can block a trade to any team. Therefore, the Phillies and Utley must come to a consensus as to where he will go before he is ultimately dealt. Utley has drawn appeal from more teams than just those in need for a second baseman. The Astros, for instance, are definitely fine out at second, but could use an upgrade out at first base. Utley can play first or possibly designated hitter, which has allowed more clubs to come into play for trade discussion. The 36-year-old Utley is signed just through this season, but has a vesting option for 2016 if he reaches 500 plate appearances this year (which is pretty much guaranteed not to vest due to disabled list time). On the season, Utley is hitting .208/.276/.313 in 272 plate appearances. Since coming off the disabled list on August 7, he's hitting .500/.478/.682 in six games. --Devan Fink |
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