The San Francisco Giants have signed third baseman Matt Chapman to a six-year contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2030 season. The new deal is worth $151 million, with Chapman earning an average of $25.1 million per season. Chapman, who joined the Giants as a free agent, has had a strong season at the plate, hitting .247 with a .333 on-base percentage and a .445 slugging percentage. This extension eliminates the final two years of his previous contract, which included a player option for the 2025 season.
Chapman was originally drafted by the Oakland A’s and was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays before joining the Giants. He struggled at the plate during his time with the Blue Jays but demonstrated strong defensive skills as a third baseman, winning his fourth career Gold Glove Award in 2023. Despite his struggles at the plate in recent years, Chapman’s value as a player is evident, prompting the Giants to secure him with a long-term extension. The 31-year-old player has shown improvement in his offensive performance this season, with his OPS+ on track to be the highest since 2019 when he made his lone All-Star appearance.
During the previous season, Chapman’s performance took a dip, leading to a decrease in his free agent value. He ended the season with a .240 batting average and 17 home runs, his lowest in a non-pandemic season since his rookie year in 2017. Chapman signed a three-year, $54 million deal in March, which included player options for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. His agent, Scott Boras, is known for rarely negotiating extensions for clients who have the opportunity to test the free agent market, making Chapman’s extension with the Giants a rare exception.
Despite the Giants’ current standings in the NL West standings, the team decided to secure Chapman’s future with a long-term contract extension. The team lost a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday, further dampening their postseason hopes. However, the Giants were determined to secure Chapman’s role as their franchise third baseman for the foreseeable future, showcasing the strong relationship between the player and the team. The extension demonstrates the Giants’ commitment to building a competitive team and keeping key players on their roster, even in the face of challenging seasons.
