The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Giants acquire Longoria from Rays for 4 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 surprising lastplace season in the NL West.
An offense-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 every- thing I can and more to the clubhouse and the organization and being back in the postseason and winning like I expect to do,” Longoria grew up in Southern California Longoria said. “It’s an even year coming up as an Angels fan but has plenty of friends and I know the Giants win in even years. who cheer for the rival Dodgers. “I’m going That I am looking forward to.” to be saying a lot of sorries.”
The position had been a priority for San Also, he’s getting off turf, noting, “I’m excited Francisco, and Longoria’s durability means to be playing on grass.” so much, too. He has played at least 156 In November 2012, Longoria received a games in each of the past five years, all 162 $136.6 million, 10-year contract with Tampa in 2014, and also hit 20 or more homers in Bay that added six guaranteed seasons and each of those five seasons. $100 million to his previous deal. If exercised,
“He’s sorely needed and will be a great the option would make the agreement addition for us,” Giants general manager worth $144.6 million over 11 years. He will Bobby Evans said. complete his 10th season of major league
It marked the first big offseason move by service on the second day of next season, each organization. which would have given him the right to approve
Tampa Bay in effect is responsible for any trade from the Rays as a 10-year $14.5 million of the $88 million Longoria veteran who spent five or more years with is owed, and the Rays took on $13 million his current team. in guaranteed money due Span. Rays general manager Erik Neander said
Longoria had $86 million in remaining trading Longoria “was in the best long-term guaranteed salary and buyout as part of a interest of our franchise.” contract that runs through 2022 and contains Still, he was the face of a small-market a 2023 club option. The $9.5 million in franchise and meant so much to the city. deferred money included in that total was “The decision itself was one that was incredibly converted to an assignment bonus payable difficult for us to make,” Neander by the Rays from 2025-29. Tampa Bay will said. give the Giants $2 million by this Dec. 31 The 33-year-old Span has hit .283 with to cover Longoria’s assignment bonus and 60 homers and 432 RBIs over 10 years in an additional $3 million by Oct. 31, 2022. the majors, but San Francisco was looking
The 32-year-old leaves Tampa Bay as the for more athleticism and steady defense in longest-tenured player in franchise history, the outfield. In fact, manager Bruce Bochy after spending 10 of his big league seasons had approached Span about the possibility in a Rays uniform. He is the club’s leader of playing left field going forward. Span led with 1,435 games, 261 home runs and 892 the Giants last season with 73 runs scored RBIs. Longoria started all 30 of the Rays’ despite a stint on the 10-day disabled list. postseason games at third. He previously played for the Nationals and
Longoria batted .261 with 20 homers and the Twins. 86 RBIs last season. The 2008 AL Rookie Bochy expects Longoria to bat third or of the Year and three-time Gold Glover has cleanup, and he can already envision Longoria played at least 156 games in each of the past as part of a top infield with Gold Glove five seasons and hit 20 or more home runs shortstop Brandon Crawford, second baseman in all of those years. Joe Panik and Brandon Belt at first.