Because the lockout lasted so long, there will be arbitration hearings held during the season, which takes an already awkward process to the next level. The Giants are avoiding it altogether.
They announced Tuesday that they have agreed to deals with all four remaining arbitration-eligible players. Before the lockout, they had agreed to one-year deals with the rest of their class.
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SIGN UP HERE Darin Ruf signed a two-year, $6.25 million deal that buys out his final two years of arbitration and includes a $3.5 million club option for 2024. Ruf, 35, is expected to be in the heart of the lineup against lefties and manager Gabe Kapler has said he will get Ruf more time against righties, as well.
The club also reached one-year deals with outfielder Mike Yastrzemski ($3.7 million), catcher Curt Casali ($2.6 million) and right-handed reliever Dominic Leone ($2.25 million). All three should play big roles in 2022. Yastrzemski is hoping to put an injury-riddled 2021 season behind him and return to the form that made him an MVP candidate in 2020. Casali will start the season splitting time with Joey Bart behind the plate. Leone will again have a high-leverage bullpen role and is Kapler's best option to be an "opener."
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The arbitration process is usually wrapped up in January, but it was pushed back this year. The Giants did not get far in talks during the scramble to get players to camp, but they apparently moved quickly over recent days. A year after going to a hearing with Donovan Solano, they have avoided having to prepare for the uncomfortable process, which consists of players explaining why they deserve a certain salary and teams knocking them down and arguing for a lesser number.
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