Giants acquire Longoria from Rays for four players
SAN FRANCISCO — Evan Longoria expects to win immediately with the San Francisco Giants, whose run of success in even years is well-documented — and the club’s new third baseman knows all about that.
The Giants’ brass realizes adding Longoria to the lineup and an already talented infield gives San Francisco a far better chance of bouncing back from a lastplace season in the NL West.
An offence-producing third baseman the Giants sought this winter, Longoria was traded from Tampa Bay on Wednesday for outfielder Denard Span, star infield prospect Christian Arroyo and two minor-league pitchers.
“I’m looking forward to bringing everything I can and more to the clubhouse and the organization and being back in the postseason and winning like I expect to do,” Longoria said. “It’s an even year coming up and I know the Giants win in even years. That I am looking forward to.”
The position had been a priority for San Francisco, and Longoria’s durability means so much, too. He has played at least 156 games in each of the past five years, all 162 in 2014, and also hit 20 or more homers in each of those five seasons.
“He’s sorely needed and will be a great addition for us,” Giants general manager Bobby Evans said.
It marked the first big off-season move by each organization.
Tampa Bay in effect is responsible for $14.5 million of the $88 million US Longoria is owed, and the Rays took on $13 million in guaranteed money due Span.
Longoria had $86 million in remaining guaranteed salary and buyout as part of a contract that runs through 2022 and contains a 2023 club option. The $9.5 million in deferred money included in that total was converted to an assignment bonus payable by the Rays from 2025-29. Tampa Bay will give the Giants $2 million by Dec. 31 to cover Longoria’s assignment bonus and an additional $3 million by Oct. 31, 2022.
The 32-year-old leaves Tampa Bay as the longest-tenured player in franchise history.