Yet another one of Scott Boras’ prominent clients has opted for a short-term contract this offseason. Third baseman Matt Chapman has finalized a 3-year, $54 million agreement with the San Francisco Giants. The deal provides Chapman with the option to opt out after the first or second year. He stands to earn $20 million in 2024, $18 million in 2025, and $16 million in 2026.
Although Chapman’s contract falls significantly short of initial projections, it mirrors the strategy employed by Cody Bellinger, another top free-agent position player represented by Boras. Bellinger recently agreed to a 3-year, $80 million deal with the Cubs, also featuring opt-out clauses after each year.
The market hasn’t progressed as Boras had anticipated, leaving many of his premier clients unsigned as MLB spring training commenced. Despite agreements reached by Chapman and Bellinger, Boras’ top pitching clients Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell remain free agents. Given the prevailing trends, it’s conceivable that they too may opt for short-term deals.
The Giants have demonstrated a clear desire to bolster their roster this offseason. They’ve acquired Jung-Hoo Lee, Robbie Ray, Jordan Hicks, Tom Murphy, Jorge Soler, and Matt Chapman, while parting ways with Mitch Haniger, Alex Wood, Anthony DeSclafani, and Ross Stripling.
