The Giants are next in MLBTR’s 2013 Contract Issues series:
Eligible For Free Agency (6)
- Melky Cabrera - Cabrera, still just 27, will present the Giants with a dilemma if he repeats his 2011 success in San Francisco. They'd likely have to offer a multiyear deal or let him walk.
- Freddy Sanchez - The Giants have learned to cope without Sanchez, who's on the 15-day disabled list recovering from shoulder surgery.
- Jeremy Affeldt - The Giants evidently value Affeldt's left arm and could offer him another deal in the $4-5MM range if he turns in a typical season.
- Angel Pagan - Just one year after restructuring their outfield, two of the Giants' starting outfielders will hit free agency. It's too early to predict the Giants' interest in re-signing the 30-year-old center fielder.
- Ryan Theriot - Off to a slow start at the plate, Theriot's place on the 2013 Giants is anything but secure.
- Guillermo Mota - Mota has been suspended for 100 games following a positive test for a performance enhancing substance. He'll be eligible to return late this season even if the ruling stands following an appeal. A suspension would reduce Mota's free agent value and may diminish the Giants' interest in retaining the 38-year-old.
Contract Options (1)
- Aubrey Huff: $10MM club option with a $2MM buyout. The Giants can be expected to buy Huff out, since he's no longer a $10MM player.
Arbitration Eligible (10)
- First time: Buster Posey, Joaquin Arias
- Second time: Sergio Romo, Nate Schierholtz, Gregor Blanco, Emmanuel Burriss, Eli Whiteside
- Third time: Clay Hensley
- Fourth time: Brian Wilson, Santiago Casilla
Assuming the Giants tender Wilson a contract, he'll lead the way with a salary that could fall in the $8.5MM range. Posey's 2013 salary can be expected to fall in the $2-3MM range, which would make him the Giants' highest-paid position player going year to year. In total, the team's arbitration eligible players could cost $20MM-plus, with the usual caveat that some of the players above will become non-tender candidates.
2013 Payroll Obligation
The Giants have already committed more than $80MM to next year's payroll, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts. The team's payroll has surpassed $115MM in 2011 and 2012, and it's currently hard to envision a substantial payroll drop for 2013. The Giants will likely need to spend on outfielders this winter and if GM Brian Sabean is going to have any flexibility after retaining his arbitration eligible players, the payroll will have to stay above $100MM.
Of the first 5 FA’s: ONLY Melky will draw a second look, and they should pursue him with all the little fervor that front office can generate to keep a bat.
Freddy Sanchez will be lucky to play this year let alone next. He’s likely only serviceable after this season as a DH and there’s little value there. But he’d have to be dirt cheap for the Giants to resign him in favor of trying Charlie Culberson with Joe Panik the likely heir apparent fastracked through the minors.
Is Huff an $8 mil a year player? Whats that like a 1.6 WAR player ($5 mil per WAR or w/e)?
Strictly looking at WAR, Aubrey Huff currently owes the Giants around $5mm
Melky has been a GREAT addition. Even better that we got rid of Jonathan Sanchez in the process.
Theriot should be cut THIS year. Man he’s awful!!
Arias has been a pleasant surprise. Definitely bring him back.
Sign Melky to a multi year deal. Let Pagan walk in favor of Brown, unless Pagan really heats up. Freddy walks. Affect walks or takes a pay cut unless he stops injuring himself at home.
Tim Lincecum isn’t in the Free Agency Section??
If they are serious about winning, they must re-sign Melky. At age 28, he is the perfect FA to build your team around. letting Huff and Wilson and go will give them the money they will need to resign him.