J.D. Davis is the only arbitration-eligible Giant to not settle on an agreement prior to Major League Baseball’s deadline.
Outfielders Austin Slater and Mike Yastrzemski each agreed to one-year deals in November, and San Francisco also avoided arbitration with contracts for Thairo Estrada, LaMonte Wade Jr. and Tyler Rogers, the club announced.
Estrada, who led Giants position players in wins above replacement last year, per Fangraphs, agreed to a $4.7 million deal. LaMonte Wade Jr., another bright spot on last year’s club, is set to earn $3.5 million.
Estrada won the Willie Mac Award in 2023, and Wade won it in 2021 when he earned the “Late Night LaMonte” nickname. Last year, Estrada’s 23 stolen bases last year were the most by a Giant since 2012. Wade transitioned well from the outfield to first base, smacking 17 home runs and holding down the leadoff spot against right-handed pitchers for much of the season.
Submarine reliever Tyler Rogers, who posted a 3.04 ERA in 2023, inked a $3.2 million deal. He, twin Taylor Rogers, Camilo Doval, Ryan Walker and Luke Jackson project to make up the back end of San Francisco’s bullpen.
Davis is the outlier. The 30-year-old infielder had a terrific first half last season, but struggled from the plate after the All-Star break. Overall, he hit .248 with 18 home runs in a career-high 144 games while flashing much improved defense at third base. He’s also fit to play first and serve as designated hitter.
Davis missing the arbitration deadline means he’ll likely have an arbitration hearing with the Giants next month. There, his camp and the team will negotiate on how much his contract should be worth. He and the team can make an agreement up until that meeting. Since the Giants still retain Davis’ rights, they could also trade him before going to arbitration.
According to MLB Trade Rumors’ projections, which are typically very accurate, Davis is expected to earn $6.8 million in arbitration. It’s possible that free agent Matt Chapman — a likely target for the Giants — could have impacted San Francisco’s decision-making on Davis’ arbitration process. If the Giants sign Chapman, a Scott Boras client, Davis could become redundant on the roster.
President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi and manager Bob Melvin are familiar with Chapman from their time in Oakland. The four-time Gold Glove and two-time Platinum Glove winner would accomplish several of the Giants’ goals as an everyday player who can hit for power and would shore up the left side of the infield next to rookie shortstop Marco Luciano.
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