TODAY: Galvis’ deal could pay him up to $6MM, according to reports out of Japan (hat tip to The Associated Press).
DEC. 12: Galvis has agreed to a two-year contract, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports (via Twitter).
DEC. 4: Infielder Freddy Galvis appears to be close to a move overseas, as reports from Yahoo Japan indicate that Galvis is nearing a contract with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball.
Should the move be finalized, it would count as a bit of a surprise. While there hadn’t been much buzz about Galvis’ free agent market to date, he was widely expected to generate interest either for either contending or non-contending teams that were looking for a lower-cost middle infield option.
Instead, a move to Japan indicates that perhaps Galvis was worried about being caught up in a signing crunch that may take place for mid-to-lower tier free agents once the lockout ends. The sheer volume of players looking for jobs may force some to settle for smaller guaranteed salaries or even minor league contracts. If the Hawks are offering more security in the form of a multi-year contract and a guaranteed salary, taking such a deal would allow Galvis to sidestep the lockout entirely and instead focus only on his on-field preparations for 2022 (albeit in a whole new country and new league).
Galvis hit .242/.302/.407 with 14 home runs over 394 combined plate appearances with the Orioles and Phillies in 2021. After signing a one-year, $1.5MM deal with Baltimore last winter, he was dealt to the Phils at the trade deadline, despite still being on the injured list recovering from a right quad strain. Galvis ended up missing close to two months of the regular season, and his 104 games played represents his lowest total (2020 excepted) since he played 43 games in 2014.
The 32-year-old Galvis has been an everyday player for most of the last seven seasons, playing as an every shortstop (with significant chunks of time as a second baseman and third baseman) with the Padres, Blue Jays, Reds, Orioles, and in two different stints in Philadelphia. With a modest .246/.292/.387 slash line over 4238 PA, Galvis relied more on strong glovework and some decent baserunning over his career, though he has shown some power on occasion, including a 23-homer season in 2019.
Most of the headlines about the offseason shortstop market have naturally focused on the superstars available in free agency, with Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Javier Baez, and Chris Taylor already finding new teams. Carlos Correa and Trevor Story remain among the big-ticket names, and some clubs might wait to see where those two sign before attention can fully turn to the next tier of available shortstops. With Galvis perhaps gone to the Hawks, it creates more opportunity for the likes of Andrelton Simmons, Jose Iglesias, or Jonathan Villar to find regular jobs with MLB teams that either miss out on Correa/Story or couldn’t afford them in the first place.
Up and down career
Not really. Since 2015 he’s never been below 79 OPS plus or above 91 OPS plus. Always had a good glove. He’s not great by any means, but he’s about as consistent with his own stats as you can possibly be.
What was down about his career?
Very exciting player if his defense holds up
Galvis is a fan fav and liked by all it seemed..he’ll always be welcomed back in Philly..Outstanding glove..
A5 Waygu is what for dinner .
Cashman let another low cost SS option slip away.
In reminiscence of 1994 after the strike ended the season and saw players like Julio Franco, Kevin Mitchell, Pete Incaviglia and others head to Japan, i wonder if Galvis won’t be the only surprise headed to the NPB or KBO
Smart move for Galvis.
Might as well take a guaranteed pay check.
Guaranteed paycheck plus a really cool experience.
Galvis is less than a year away from 10 years and a fully vested pension in the bigs. That’s a pretty good benefit to stay. I’d say he’ll definitely try to come back at some point.
He’ll be back soon, probably even before the 2 years are done
Warning shot across the bow to Iglesias and his agent that the last 3m payday ain’t happening again when another 3rd tier guy, like Galvis takes his services overseas.
What does Iglesias end up with now?? 1-1.5?
Very strange move for Galvis, he only needs 150 days of big league service to fully vest his pension.
How do you sleep at night Ca$hman?
Wow, those were blasts from the past. I hope he does sign. Yes, it’s another one that Cashman let slip away, but it’s also another guy not allowing Cashman to make the mistake of planning on him as a Yankees first option for SS.
@Yankee Clipper- nobody ever said Mr. Galvis had to be a lst option. But he definitely could of been a excellent option coming in the 6th inning and shoring up the defense. Yes your boy Ca$hman has been hanging by that Cliff way too long. Maybe it’s about time someone checks on him?
Yupe. I think they should just roll with Oswald Peraza. His defense is major league ready, and hopefully his offense will come around.
@Mickey777- I agree with your comment here. I think you might have something. Peraza is definitely more closer to the majors then Volpe. Does Gleyber have a role here in 2022? Assuming there is a 2022.
Was hoping he’d resign with the Phils, but he’ll get more regular playing time and probably a better contract upon his return in a couple years. I hope he enjoys his time over there….
One of the most underrated players in MLB. He’ll never be an annual all-star candidate but he’ll never hurt your team either. Extremely dependable, durable and he has the penchant for a game winning hit or game winning defensive play. He’s both a fan favorite and a clubhouse favorite too. I’m really surprised he never got a market value deal in MLB. He was definitely worth 4/$20M+ back at age 28-29 but the poor guy kept having to take 1 year deals or even minor league deals just to get on the field. I hope he gets a nice sized contract in Japan; he absolutely deserves it. He’ll be missed here in the U.S. for sure. Best of luck, Freddy, go get ‘em!
well said
He’s gonna be a star there!
He made 1.5 million last year, seems like a bargain infielder
Could the best team in Japan beat the pirates?
My grandmother & her sewing circle could beat the Pirates
True but your grandmother throws 96mph with a wipeout slider.
It’s a long fly ball…. and it’s gone. And just like that Bryan Reynolds, Ke’Bryan Hayes and Oneil Cruz have gone back-to-back-to-back against the Rockford Peaches.
That’s dumb. Ask Dom Mattingly.
Any relation to Don Mattingly?
It’s his long lost brother
Any relation to Mr. Cafe, Don Dimaggio?
Thats dumb. Ask Don Deluise.
That’s dumb. Ask Don Mattingly.
You’re right the pirates have shown that they are just too damn good, what was I thinking
Any relation to Dom Mattingly?
Definitely
oh noooooo what are the yanks gonna do .. this was the missing piece to the new dynasty lol
Yeah, realistically, this is forcing Cashman into a position to make a good decision despite his inclination not to. Now someone needs to snatch Simmons from our grasp….
I feel like he has a lot to offer with defense alone. I’m surprised he’s leaving the bigs. I’m sure he’s doing what’s best for himself and his family though.
Maybe the pay is better
He might also think this will help extend his career.
He’s thought of as defense first, but he’s probably going to hit pretty well over there. There’s a huge SS FA class this year so he could be looking to mash in Japan this year, then if he wants to come back to MLB in 2023 he’ll be better positioned because of better performance on his part and less talent available.
CNichols-Really good take. I hadn’t thought of that.
Being 2 years older is not going to help him in his return.
I think that a lot of young players should give serious consideration to the Asian market for 2022. I fully trust their union to blow the 2022 season.
His agent clearly sees what we do: no real negotiations will take place until both sides get through the finger pointing and insults phase which doesn’t show any sign of abating. Months will be wasted before either side feels any kind of sense of urgency.
Yep. Galvis is not the sort of player who would be heading overseas if there was likely going to be baseball in 2022. Quality to stick in the majors and close to pension service level.
Solid guy to have on the roster. Smart to get a guarantee with starting role and wait for CBA bs to blow over.
I can never quite figure why I just like certain players, but I always like the guy. I know, the numbers say he’s pretty “meh”, but he defended well, and always seemed to be “in” the game. Hope he does well there.
Surprised he didnt get any Mlb deal, hes in the category of guys you fill in a mediocre team with. In the realm of guys like Villar, Aledimas Diaz, Grichuk, etc.
The As are cutting payroll, he is a dream match for Oakland.
He’s actually a great bench guy for any team. He’s got mediocre defense, but it’s still passable at SS, he’s a switch-hitter with a bit of pop, and usually falls just below the league average in OPS+, but near league average in OPS.
First thing Freddy did when he returned to Philly was take Alec Bohm under his wing and help him Bohm with his defense. Tells you all you need to know about what kind of teammate Freddy Galvis is…
Wished he re sign with Phillies, he was a huge part of the teams push in the second half. But cannot wait to see him piay in Japan! Hawks is one of the best in NPB, winning six championships in the last decade, while missed it in 2021 and seams to be in a bit rebuilding process. Wish he will be the center of the teams resurge, and has a wonderful time here.
Jah can’t wait to see what Freddy can do lined up with Kaner and Toewser on the PK. Let’s go Hawks!
I have no idea why the Phillies wouldn’t sign him on the cheap, improve their 3B defense, and leave them with the flexibility to go after Correa to fill the big hole they have at SS. Not only does Freddy have some pop in his bat, he also brings substantial intangibles. Quality individual, great clubhouse guy.
Villar to the Angels? I mean they prob won’t bring back Jose or Simmons unless those dudes are desperate to sign, but there arw other teams that value these guys more
Baseball is locked out how can this be?
Only the majors are locked out. Minor league & foreign leagues are business as usual.
I how the Japanese teams are named after corporations. Gross.
Japan should name their teams after racist insults for minorities like we do.
@BobGibsonFan – Sounds like a Leftist comment to me. Name a single MLB team who is/was named in a racially insulting manner. The name “Braves” is respectful and even “Indians” was a neutral name.
So, you’re no fan of the Texas-Dr. Pepper Rangers I’m guessing.
Now a 2yr deal? As I posted earlier, good for him.
He can still come back in 2yrs and secure solid money as a swiss army knife guy….Thanks Freddy for the effort you put in….
Pirates need contracted there fans don’t care there markets terrible and there owner wants a payday. time to buy them back mlb or sell them to a owner in a city that can afford them like Montreal or Vegas.
Contracting the pirates should be a must during this work stoppage. So that things can back to playing baseball
The Tigers could’ve acquired Andrelton Simmons, Jose Iglesias, Freddy Galvis and Jonathan Villar for less than they paid for Javier Baez. I would’ve liked to see them come away with Galvis and Villar. With the Baez contract, they’re payroll limited.
Tigers have plenty of payroll. They were under $100 mil. They have had $200 mil payrolls.
Sure, get Galvis and Villar, then go out and get Scherzer.
I dont think the Tigers are done yet. I bet they pick up one more hitter and a couple arms. They will probably be pretty good next year.
If they had signed Correa, then they would need to be more frugal. Baez is much more manageable contract.
Salary does not equate to wins. The Tigers are going nowhere until 2024 when Miguel Cabrera is gone. The lineup is still using Cabrera as the feature hitter.
LOL
@BobGibsonFan- no doubt the Tigers will be better than they were. But their definitely a few years from being good. The White Sox will be king of the AL Central for at least the next few years. The Tigers are getting there though.
Meh. Modest Mouse.
Nice signing. I’ve always liked the Softbank Hawks. I’m a big fan of the Yomiuri Giants but Softbank are really good too. Bit of a down year for them this year but they had a good run the past decade or so. I look forward to some decent numbers from Galvis this year.
Surprising because he would have had a bunch of opportunities. Makes me wonder if the season will start on time. Maybe he knows something we (fans and media) don’t?
Figured he’d try overseas. SS market was loaded this offseason .
I’ll never understand moves like this. Players work your entire life to make it into MLB and then sign a mediocre contract to play in a different country? Ok
The contract is double the length and four times the value of his last contract. And he’ll get to play in front of bigger crowds (NPB outdraws MLB), in a country he apparently wants to spend time in, with no lockout worries.
You don’t get maximizing your paydays while you’re young and can still play? Or taking the chance to play for an esteemed team and compete for a championship while the MLB babbles and potentially bungles its future?
Not to mention being a full time starter and still being young enough to eventually return to the MLB for at least one more year to fully Vest his pension. There is so much here to get. It’s baffling that you don’t seem get any of it to be honest.
One of the best liked guys in baseball.
Surprised no ML teams had Freddy fingered. But this class of FAs was overstocked at SS.
I think I’m going to tune in to the NPB this year. Does anyone else follow? Anyone know how to get the games?
Would have been a decent pick up for the Cubs. Could have provided some veteran insurance and a back up role on the infield. Bote will be out for a while with shoulder surgery. Hoerner’s health is always a concern and Madrigal is recovering from a season ending surgery last season.