Star closer Smith on his way to Atlanta
The Atlanta Braves are expected to be one of the teams that pursues former Giants ace Madison Bumgarner in free agency this offseason.
On Thursday, the Braves announced they signed another high-profile lefthander who was a big part of the 2019 Giants’ pitching staff.
Atlanta agreed to terms with former Giants closer Will Smith on a three-year deal worth $ 39 million that includes a club option of $13 million for the 2023 season. The deal was completed minutes before MLB’s deadline to accept or reject qualifying offers and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that Smith was likely to return to San Francisco before signing with the Braves.
The Giants gave Bumgarner and Smith the chance to return to the club with one-year deals worth $17.8 million, but it was understood by both parties that Bumgarner would likely reject the team’s qualifying offer. Because of the uncertainty regarding what the market might look like for a free agent closer, there was a much greater chance Smith would accept the team’s qualifying offer, but that did not pan out.
Because Smith signed a free agent contract with another team, the Giants will receive a compensatory draft selection in 2020 that will likely come between picks No. 75 and No. 85. They will also receive
an additional draft selection in the same range if Bumgarner signs elsewhere prior to next year’s amateur draft.
MLB Trade Rumors predicted Smith would land a three-year deal worth north of $40 million this offseason after earning his first All-Star nod as the Giants closer in 2019. Smith was one of the most dependable relievers in baseball last year as he posted a 2.76 ERA and racked up 34 saves in 63 games.
Despite signing a contract that will pay him $13 million annually over the next three years, Smith will not be the highest-paid reliever in Atlanta next season. That distinction belongs to another former Giants closer, Mark Melancon, who was dealt to the Braves at this year’s trade deadline.
In a trade that brought right- handed pitching prospect Tristan Beck to the Giants, the Braves agreed to pay all of Melancon’s $14 million salary he’s owed in 2020.
New manager Gabe
Kapler will likely devote part of the spring to settling on a new closer as it’s unlikely the Giants will target an external replacement through trades or free agency. Veteran lefty Tony Watson is the only returning member of the Giants’ 2020 bullpen with significant experience in the closer role.
Prior to signing with Atlanta, Smith was expected to be the premier reliever available in free agency this offseason, whereas Bumgarner is part of a large class of high- profile starting pitchers. Former Houston Astros righthander Gerrit Cole could break a handful of records with his contract while World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg and former Mets righty Zack Wheeler are also expected to sign huge deals.
At the outset of the offseason, Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said the organization has some level of interest in re-signing each of their free agents, including reserve catcher Stephen Vogt. At this point, it’s unclear how seriously the Giants will consider bringing Bumgarner back on a multiyear deal.