Cody Ross and his agent approached the Giants on the very first day of Spring Training to discuss a contract extension, reports Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News. Ross is eager to sign a multiyear deal with the club, even if it means possibly passing up a free agent contract elsewhere next winter.
"I've let them know that's what I want," Ross said. "Free agency would be cool to experience, but I know what this team is about and where it's going. We have a great thing here, and I want to stay."
It's not surprising that Ross would want to remain in San Francisco, both for the long-term stability and due to his performance since joining the team. The Marlins let Ross go to the Giants on a waiver claim in August, and Ross posted an .819 OPS in 82 plate appearances down the stretch. The outfielder then exploded in the postseason, hitting .294/.390/.686 with five home runs and capturing the NLCS MVP award as the Giants went on to win the World Series.
Ross obviously has no regrets with how things turned out last summer, though he admitted to being upset over being let go by Florida.
"It's almost like a slap in the face," Ross said. "I was willing to sign an extension there even though it's not the greatest place to play. They were building a nucleus for when their new stadium opened. I was comfortable there and liked it. You pour your heart and soul out for an organization for 4 1/2 years, and all of a sudden they're like, 'See ya.' "
Ross, arbitration-eligible for the last time this winter, signed a one-year, $6.3MM deal for 2011 and will be a free agent next winter. As Baggarly points out, San Francisco's outfield depth and Ross' average career numbers (a .788 OPS in seven Major League seasons) will likely mean that the club will wait for the offseason to discuss a possible extension, though Giants VP Bobby Evans told Ross' agent that they will continue negotiations later in the spring.
It wouldn't be the first time the Giants have given a multiyear deal to a veteran, but given the club's spotty-at-best track record with these contracts, it's best for the champs to wait to see how Ross performs in 2011 before locking him up. Baggarly notes that San Francisco's claim for Ross was made primarily to prevent him from going to the Padres, so it's not like the Giants acquired Ross with the intent on making him a long-term answer in right field. (In a separate item, Baggarly notes that San Diego actually didn't put in a claim of their own for Ross.)
One thing I’m not clear about: why did the Marlins let him go? Was it because he would have beat the Marlins in arbitration?
I’m more confused about how they let him go for nothing vs at least getting a player back…
They tried, it’s just that he barely had an OPS over .700 at the time and not too many teams were willing to give anything up for a player who’s salary is rising and saw his OPS drop every year since 2007. The Marlins didn’t have any sort of leverage here, as he was a goner after the 2010 season anyway.
I think so. He was due for a raise they didn’t feel like paying him with Maybin, Stanton, Coghlan, and Morrison now in the outfield mix. Of course Maybin was later traded.
MOARRRR EXTENSIONZZZZ!!!
still wondering what our outfield would look like this year, maybe Burrell, Torres, Ross or Belt, Torres, DeRosa. This too much depth is a good problem to have.
Belt will not make the MLB roster just yet. They will start him in AAA and see how he handles it. At one point during the season he might get called up depending on how he is doing down there, but as for now he will be in Fresno
I’m assuming the Giants see him as more of a 1B than outfielder? Dude had a tremendous year last season, his first pro experience. If Huff struggles early on and Belt is tearing up AAA I think he’ll be called up and Huff would be moved to the outfield. I mean, can we really count on Burrell, Ross, or Torres to repeat what they did last year? At least one of their 3 primary outfielders will probably struggle.
Good problem to have though. Wish the Braves had outfield depth like that…
At least the Braves have one sure thing in Heyward, the Giants have three question marks…
And a World Series Ring that is worth all the freaking question marks and confusing platoons the world 🙂 I’m sure fans of the Giants prefer to proudly lose the comparison between any of their OFers and Atlanta’s super rookie if it means to be fan of the World Champion. And many fans of many other teams would gladly trade places with them.
Yea and Im not disagreeing with you…Its just that Anthony said he wished the Braves had outfield depth like the Giants. But the Giants have a bunch of question mark outfielders, I wouldn’t consider that depth. At least the Braves have one guy who looks so far like a future super star. I dont even like the Braves, Im just saying… Ima Red Sox fan and look back to the infield of the 2004 Red Sox…it was a bunch of question marks. Bellhorn, Mueller, Reese, Mientkiewicz etc.
Scrappy bunches have the tendency to create depth in kind of a bizarre way: they are not household names so they can be seated if slumping and can be removed altogether if better options emerge in the market or minors.
Someone still grumpy about the playoffs??
No. Just stating that what the Giants have is not necessarily depth because they are all question marks. I rather have one sure thing such as Heyward rather than a bunch of question marks. I don’t even like the Braves…lol.
Cody had a great post season, but hes not good. If they give him an extension now, he will be grossly overpaid. If they wait and see how this season progresses he might luckout and get some sort of 3 year deal, but he will still be overpaid though. Hes a better than average defender, but very replaceable when you look at production for the money.
is this guy trying to say he would like to capitalize on his greatest moment not the body of his entire work , very smart. also this guy always hits the phillies for some reason or another
Good OF defense with 20-25 hr pop…his biggest pay days are probably behind him though…if he was FA i could see him getting 3 for 20 at most..probbably more in the range of 5 a year with only being guaranteed an everyday job from a team like the royals or pirates..maybe a team like the padres or A’s could get involved
Wow, a player thats been inconsistent and but had an AMAZING postseason wants an extension. Really? The Giants also play in San Fransisco. We NEED the season to start now if this is news.
Zero chance this happens.
If he puts up a .278 year with 21 HR then I bet they throw a Randy Winn extension at him… I hope he has a good year but I think he’s going to start losing that bat speed and OF range real soon…