Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Gausman signed with the Giants in part because Buster Posey would be behind the plate.
Even after Posey opted out of the 2020 season, it turns out Gausman will get a chance to throw to the three-time champion after all.
Gausman has accepted the qualifying offer that binds him to San Francisco for at least another season. The righty on Wednesday signed the $18.9 million, one-year tender that he will player 2021 under unless he and the club agree to a multiyear deal.
Gausman publicly stated he wanted to return to the Giants, who had signed him to a $9 million pact for last season. He enjoyed his time in San Francisco, praising the organization, coaching and teammates, and the Giants enjoyed having a pitcher who broke out in his eighth year in the majors, in which he posted a 3.62 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 59 2/3 innings.
The Giants have their ace again, and Gausman has leverage. Free agents will be less valued than any time in recent memory after a season played alongside a pandemic that didn’t allow fans in stands. Clubs do not want to spend money, and the Giants do not want to spend $18.9 million on one player. If they can work out a longer-term deal (perhaps in the three years, $40 million neighborhood for a righty turning 30 in January), it would make sense for both sides.
The Giants needed him, returning just Johnny Cueto and Logan Webb for sure. Tyler Anderson is due arbitration, while Tyler Beede (Tommy John surgery) should rejoin the staff at some point. Gone are Jeff Samardzija and Trevor Cahill; gone for the moment is Drew Smyly, who also expressed an interest in returning but is a free agent.
Geaux Giants!! ??? @SFGiants
— Kevin Gausman (@KevinGausman) November 11, 2020
Gausman was one of six in all of baseball to receive the qualifying offer and one of two (the Mets’ Marcus Stroman the other) to accept it. In other years, a pitcher coming off a season like his would have hit the market and let teams outbid one another. This is not like other years, just like this season was not like other seasons.
“I’ve had some good catchers in the past, and no offense to them. Buster’s one of the best in the game,” Gausman said on March 1, before Posey opted out to care for newly adopted baby twins.
Gausman will get a chance to play with one of the best in the game.