The San Francisco Giants set a new franchise record with the signing of Willy Adames.
The San Francisco Giants kicked off their 2024 offseason with a historic signing. The Giants has signed free agent shortstop Willy Adames on a seven-year, $182 million contract, making it the largest contract in the franchise’s history.
Adames, 29, spent the past three and a half seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, hitting 107 homers in 548 games. Last season, he posted career highs with 32 home runs and 112 RBIs while batting .251.
Let’s take a look at San Francisco Giants’ other top 4 largest contracts signings in franchise’s history.
The Giants signed left-handed pitcher Barry Zito to a seven-year, $126 million contract in 2006 which was one of the largest in MLB history at the time. Zito, who had been a standout with the Oakland Athletics, was brought in to be the ace of the Giants’ pitching staff, but his time in San Francisco didn’t go exactly as expected.
Inconsistent performance and injury halts hampered his performance during his Giants’ tenure. One of the high points of his Giants’ career came in 2012 when he pitched a critical Game 5 in the NLDS against the Cincinnati Reds, leading the Giants to a sweep and eventually a World Series title.
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In 2015, the Giants signed pitcher Johnny Cueto to a six-year, $130 million contract. Cueto, who joined the Giants from the Kansas City Royals, immediately became one of the team’s most reliable starters upon his arrival in San Francisco.
Cueto’s 2016 season was a spectacular success, earning him an All-Star appearance and helping to anchor a rotation that was crucial to the Giants’ playoff run.
The Giants signed a contract extension with star third baseman Matt Chapman in September this year. The deal included a six-year, $151 million contract extension for the four-time Gold Glove winner.
Chapman, who joined the Giants on a one-year, $18 million deal in March, had a solid 2024 season, slashing .247/.333/.445 with a team-high 22 home runs and 6.0 bWAR.
Buster Posey’s $167 million contract, signed in 2013, stood as the largest in Giants history for over a decade. Posey was the face of the team during its successful World Series runs in 2010, 2012, and 2014.
Over the course of his 12-year career, Posey became one of the most beloved Giants players of all time. He retired after the 2021 season with three World Series titles, an MVP award (2012), and seven All-Star appearances to his name.
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