Wilmer Flores will officially return to the Giants for at least two more seasons, confirming earlier reports of a contract extension.
Flores, 31, will earn $6.5 million in each of the next two years. The mutual option could allow him to return on either a $3.5 million or $8.5 million salary for the 2025 season, depending on which side expresses interest.
In 2021, the utility infielder has posted career-highs in runs and RBI and has matched his career-best in homers with 18. The Giants have played Flores most frequently at second base, but have also slotted him consistently at third, first and DH.
Speaking with local reporters in the Giants clubhouse, Flores called the extension a “no-brainer.”
“Just loving the culture here, the way that they treat me,” Flores said via NBC Sports Bay Area.
“It was a no-brainer.”
On the season, Flores is slashing .235/.319/.414. Flores’s walk-off homer against the Phillies last week padded his reputation as a clutch performer.
Flores had made it clear in the past that he’d like to return to the Giants despite his contract expiring at the end of the season. This extension prevents him from hitting free agency this winter.
“I just wanted to come back here,” Flores said. “I knew I had a chance to go to free agency, but I just love everyone here. Playing in the stadium in San Francisco, it makes me feel good. You can’t buy that. We wanted to get it done, we got it done.”
The $6.5 million of average annual value makes Flores’ new contract a bargain. On Opening Day this year, the average salary league-wide was $4.4 million. Flores has been an above average hitter, according to OPS+, for the past seven seasons in a row.
Flores is also one of the most well-liked players in the Giants’ clubhouse and a likely frontrunner for this year’s Willie Mac Award. On Sunday, his eighth-inning home run lifted the Giants to a 4-2 win over the Cubs in Wrigley Field.
The Giants have publicly made it clear that they want to get younger and more athletic next year. Flores’ versatility could that initiative indirectly, but he’s never been known as a particularly stout fielder.
With David Villar, J.D. Davis and possibly Evan Longoria back in the fold next year, it’s possible Flores sees more time at designated hitter or first base.