The Giants have avoided arbitration with first baseman Brandon Belt by agreeing to a one-year deal, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets. He’ll receive $6.2MM, Jon Heyman tweets.
The sides had seemed headed for a hearing. MLBTR projected Belt to earn the exact amount he ultimately received in his second (and second-to-last) trip through arbitration. He filed for $7.5MM, with the team countering at $5.3MM to create a $6.4MM midpoint.
Soon to turn 28, the smooth-swinging lefty has been a steady and excellent performer for San Francisco. Since debuting back in 2011, he’s racked up just over 2,000 plate appearances with a cumulative .271/.347/.456 batting line and 63 home runs. And he not only delivers a high-quality glove at first, but has shown the ability to fill in at the corner outfield in a pinch.
After an injury-shortened 2014, Belt got back on track in 2015 and was running numbers comparable to his excellent 2013 campaign before running into concussion issues late in the year. He is expected to be ready for a full spring, though, and health matters don’t appear to be much of a concern for the team.
There are indications that a long-term deal could be a consideration. And, indeed, the Giants already struck a deal with fellow 4+ service-time stalwart Brandon Crawford. Belt has always seemed a more tenuous fit in an extension scenario, though, as he occupies a position that could eventually house star catcher Buster Posey depending upon how things progress.
One of the more underrated players in the game. Real lucky to have him in a Giants uniform locking down 1st base.
Seems like a fair number for both sides….this guy is pretty good and will command some big $$ if he reaches FA in 2018. Giants might look at a long term deal sometime this year otherwise he might be a Yankee in 2018..
I’m just glad this got done. Belt always makes us stress to the wire. Giants don’t go to hearings.
I’d worry about moving Posey when that time comes. Not signing Belt to a long term contract because what might happen is foolish. Posey could get hurt permanently and then you wouldn’t have either of them.
Sign Belt long-term, then deal with the situation later. I’ll bet Belt won’t get a full no-trade clause if they sign him.
I think the idea is by the time Belt leaves Posey will slide into 1st base permanently.
If he doesn’t have an injured streaky season he’s going to be money