San Francisco Giants Roster Rumors: Brandon Belt, Giants Agree to One-Year Deal to Avoid Arbitration
The San Francisco Giants sure know how to avoid arbitration hearings, once again keeping themselves out of it after agreeing to a one-year contract worth $6.2 million with Brandon Belt. The agreed salary is actually $200,000 below the midpoint based on what both parties offered earlier.
The news of this new deal means that the team has been successful in avoiding arbitration for the 11th year in a row. It's not really something for players who were once part of the salary arbitration negotiations to be proud of, but it also means that the Giants are just being practical in negotiating even the slightest difference in what they're paying their players.
Both parties came to an agreement just before the start of the salary arbitration hearing, which was scheduled last Wednesday. The first baseman asked for a $7.5 million salary for the upcoming season, but the Giants countered with a $5.3 million offer. Based on those amounts, Belt still comes out as a winner in this one, owing to the fact that he only made $3.6 million last season.
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According to general manager Bobby Evans, they might have tediously made a stand on their offer, but it doesn't mean they aren't looking at the bigger picture. As a matter of fact, he intended to give Belt a multi-year contract before the offseason.
The 27-year-old had 18 home runs and 68 RBIs last season, with a batting average of .280, although the Giants missed the postseason. Two years back, he was free from concussions and helped the team reach the World Series.
But it is still unclear up to this point if Belt will get the long-term deal he rightfully deserves. He'll be spending two more seasons in San Francisco and he'll probably get a six-year deal somewhere else if he's able to keep himself healthy and productive from here on out.
