Aubrey Huff and the Giants probably won't agree on an extension before the team's exclusive negotiating period with free agents ends on Sunday, but Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News reports that there is "mutual interest" between both sides in Huff returning in 2011.
The one-year, $3MM contract that Huff signed with San Francisco last January was roundly criticized, but in the wake of his .891 OPS and his key role in the Giants' World Series title, it's safe to say that Huff and Brian Sabean had the last laugh. Huff will be looking for a much bigger salary in his new deal, though since he's turning 34 in December, the Giants probably aren't interested in anything longer than a three-year pact at most. There's also the presence of first base prospect Brandon Belt to consider; the 2009 amateur draft fifth-rounder advanced all the way to Triple-A in his first professional season, posting a 1.075 OPS at high A ball, Double-A and Triple-A Fresno.
Baggarly notes that Huff is looking for new representation. This is the second time this year that Huff has changed agents, as he moved to SFX's Mark Pieper from ACES in August. Baggarly says that Huff could also represent himself, which would likely mean "a quicker resolution" to an extension.
I’m still not sold on Belt being as good as his stats this season suggested. He was obviously outstanding for Richmond, but no way he comes at least 100 points close to what his OPS was this year. It will be incredibly hard to maintain that but then again, I do think he is one of the top 100 Prospects in Baseball.
Keep Huff and if Belt is ready by mid-season, ship Huff off a la Posey/Molina.
Not sure a trade would be necessary, Huff has enough positional flexibility where you could play both if Belt is the real deal.
The issue with Huff is more coming to terms on a reasonable deal after one of his best seasons.
Huff had a good year but it wasn’t so abnormal for him. He had an off year in 2009, but in 2008 hit 48 dbs, 32 HR’s, 108 RBI’s, batted .304 drove.
His career average is pretty close to what the Giants got.
162 game avg .283, 36 dbs, 25 hrs, 56 walks, 669 Pas
this year .290, 25 dbs, 26 hrs, 83 walks, 668 Pas
It’s his walks that changed somewhat substantially.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/huffau01.shtml
Huff had a good year but it wasn’t so abnormal for him. He had an off year in 2009, but in 2008 hit 48 dbs, 32 HR’s, 108 RBI’s, batted .304 drove.
His career average is pretty close to what the Giants got.
162 game avg .283, 36 dbs, 25 hrs, 56 walks, 669 Pas
this year .290, 25 dbs, 26 hrs, 83 walks, 668 Pas
It’s his walks that changed somewhat substantially.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/huffau01.shtml
Well we can get a good look at both Belt and Charlie Cluberson Sat. on MLB Network they are having a rising stars game and both will be participating in it. Belt can be slotted in LF and rumors were circulating around before Burrell was in our grasp he would play left field. Jason Grey has been praising Belt because of his newly worked swing that the Giants developed. Belt’s production has continued through the Arizona Fall League unlike Posey who tired out but then again Posey’s a catcher so its understandable. I plan to watch the game and observe his swing and hopefully power but I say don’t underestimate Belt he seems legit and its understandable to be skeptical when his college numbers don’t reflect his minor league numbers.
I have never seen someone in such a low round use power to go through the system so fast. That’s crazy.
It’s a little bit decieving. He’s good but he isn’t top 5 1B prospects in the minors.
Why do you say that?
because he’s not going to repeat those stats or come anything close to it next season and Richmond has a very hitter friendly ballpark.
Don’t you mean San Jose? Richmond is more of a hitters ballpark. That’s why all the players from SJ who got promoted this season went through sharp offensive declines. And given the fact that he’ll play in the hitter-friendly PCL, it would still be possible for him to have similar, but not as strong stats.
I meant SJ
He hit as well in Richmond (pitcher’s park) as he did in SJ (hitter’s park). EL is a tough league too; a lot of prospects’ bats die there. He doesn’t need to repeat those stats to be a top prospect. If he comes anywhere close in Fresno, he’ll still be the best non-Posey position player prospect the Giants have seen in a long, long time.
True dat ^
who’s your top 5?
Belt is grouped in with Hosmer, Freeman, Alonso and Rizzo right now.
Hosmer, Freeman Rizzo Alonso and Brett Wallace. Although I wouldn’t have a problem actually subbing Belt in for Wallace. Sands and Goldschmidt aren’t far behind.
Keith Law said in his recent chat that Belt was the number 2 1st base prospect in baseball. I respect Law and his scouting/analysis
i think if you consider the total revamp of his swinging mechanics (similar to what they did to revamp torres’ swing), he’s a totally different player than the player that teams were drafting. Thats not to say he’s now a top prospect but if you dig a little deeper it seems like he was drfated as a project from the start and one that may pay off huge if he can even come within 100 points of that OPS in the majors.
To me the real key will be is Sandoval more what we saw in 09 or this past season? Its probably somewhere in between which is still good but consider what kind of damage this team could have done with a Sandoval-Posey-Huff tandum with Pablo playing more like the Panda of 09.
Good to hear. I like how the last deal worked out for the Giants and in fairy-tale land, they pay back Huff this season with a good contract. Things don’t always work out like that though, but hopefully the Giants can get Huff to come back for a few seasons. Even if he would look damn good in LF for the Braves next year. 😛
Have there been any players recently that have represented themselves?
Didn’t ARod fire Boras and sign his new deal with the Yankees by himself?
No. Boras was fired mid season in 2010. His deal with the Yankees was negotiated by Boras and George Steinbrenner.
gary sheffield i think
^ lol, and I quote Mr. Sheffield “I have always been the best player on every team I played for.”
Ovechkin in hockey was represented by his mother. True story.
Huff has always been underrated.
i would love 2 years 12 mil. then with a 6 mil mutual option with something like 1 mil buyout. i think this is more than he would get anywhere else.
also belt will start at AAA. i think hes a legit prospect, but not as close to the majors as everyone seems to think he is. i think hell spend most of next season in the minors. but is he is going to be called up he can play both first base and left field, so that could help his chances of making the big league team.
I think Huff and the Giants can come to terms on a 2yr/$9M per deal. He has to understand that he’s one of the older guys and isn’t going to get 3 years from anybody, no matter how well he did during the season or how desperate teams are. Of course it would be smart to put the offer off for awhile but if doesent get anything beter he should take the Giants deal.
no way he gets 9 mil per year. i could see 15 total for 2 years max.
I can realistically see a two year deal, $7M per. The key will be if Huff can keep himself in the same shape as he entered 2010 as. I think his well documented off season trim down paid off a lot in his play this year.
I think the bigger questions are where does DeRosa fit into next years team and whether Sandoval can drop the weight and hit more like he did in 09. If DeRosa can fit into an all around utility role and Panda returns to his 09 performance, just one key pickup or someone like Belt or Crawford breaking out could give this team enough offensive consistency to make another run. It’ll be interesting to see how Sabean fills the hole at SS and whether he can find another legit bat to add to the mix.
I hope they resign Uribe. The Giants don’t need to since they the utility man Mark DeRosa… But Uribe is such a power hitting infielder why would you not resign him in 2011?
Huff should be resigned… Brandon Belt cannot be as good as he seems. The Big Leaugues pictching is tough. Ask John Bowker.
Huff for 3 years sounds good..he’ll be 37 and ready to DH in the AL afterwords..Huff was a great fit in SF and was VERY helpful in getting them to the WS and winning it all…All contracts are risky but if Huff plays like he did this year it should be fine
Why not just play Sandoval at 1b? Huff is not likely to duplicate his 2010 season.
true that, hes way too immobile for 3b anyway I think he owes range to thirdbase
Huff will be back. Let’s just see how much and how many years. Glad to see both sides want to get this deal done!
King of Cali
Huff loves SF, plays with a lot of heart and brings good team chemistry into the clubhouse. Part of the reason Giants won was because of the team dynamic, that’s why you see every game with a new hero. Everyone picks up each other, you gotta love it. As for stats go, I’m confident he could mirror his last year’s stats. With Torres Posey and Sanchez in the lineup all season alone Huff will get more ABs..and people hold better averages with ppl on base. Sign Huff!!
Huff loves SF, plays with a lot of heart and brings good team chemistry into the clubhouse. Part of the reason Giants won was because of the team dynamic, that’s why you see every game with a new hero. Everyone picks up each other, you gotta love it. As for stats go, I’m confident he could mirror his last year’s stats. With Torres Posey and Sanchez in the lineup all season alone Huff will get more ABs..and people hold better averages with ppl on base. Sign Huff!!