San Francisco Giants Pegged as Possible Destination For All-Star Free Agent

The San Francisco Giants freed up some cash by trading Ross Stripling to the Oakland Athletics on Friday, and now one MLB insider has the team connected to one of the top free agents left on the open market.

San Francisco is only on the hook for $3.25 million of Stripling's $12.5 million salary for 2024, meaning the move gave the club an additional $9.25 million to spend. That makes them a contender to sign former Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

Spotrac is projecting Chapman to score a six-year, $103 million contract, while MLB Trade Rumors predicted him to earn a six-year, $150 million deal. By those marks, Chapman could make anywhere from $17 million to $25 million in 2024.

Chapman, who turns 31 years old in April, has been one of the league's best power-hitting and defensive third basemen in baseball over the past few seasons. He lost a bit of pop at the plate in 2023, however, as his 17 home runs and 54 RBI were his fewest in a full season since his rookie year in 2017.

Excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, Chapman has appeared in an average of 149 games a year since 2018. He is a .240 lifetime hitter, boasting a .790 OPS and 31.2 WAR.

Chapman averages 29 home runs, 80 RBI, 36 doubles and a 5.8 WAR per 162 games in his career.

The Giants' biggest lineup acquisition thus far this offseason has been Korean outfielder Jung Hoo Lee. Backup catcher Tom Murphy is the only other bat San Francisco has added to its major league roster, though.

Veteran JD Davis is currently projected to start at third base after appearing in 116 games at the position for the Giants in 2023, but he is going to hit free agency next winter. First baseman Wilmer Flores and utility man Casey Schmitt also logged innings at third for San Francisco.

That trio combined for -12 defensive runs saved at third last year, while Chapman ended the season at 12 with the Blue Jays. Chapman led the league in defensive WAR in 2018 and 2019, and he has four Gold Gloves in his career.