San Francisco Giants new president of baseball operations Buster Posey speaks during a news in San Francisco, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. It’s being said that the Giants “lost” the Corbin Burnes sweepstakes after the 2021 Cy Young winner opted to sign with the Arizona Diamondbacks late Friday night.
Jacob deGrom signed a five-year, $185 million deal with the Rangers that same offseason. He’s made nine starts for them since. I can tell you that David Price and Stephen Strasburg’s deals didn’t. Max Scherzer’s mega-deal with the Nats was hairy at the end. And remember when Justin Verlander signed with the Mets? That was a fun few months. C.C. Sabathia faded, hard, in the final four years of his big Yankees contract. Cole Hamels was traded twice on his eight-year deal, and Felix Hernandez faded harder, posting a 5.42 ERA in his final three seasons with Seattle.And sure, there are examples of mega-deals going right.
Tell me that wouldn’t change the complexion of the Giants in 2025 and beyond. That’s a team I’d be far more excited to watch. The Giants lack hitters who require opposing teams to stop and take notice. I’d spend my money acquiring the latter until I can produce a few to replace them, which is probably going to take a while.