Giants Extend Buster Posey

The Giants have signed an extension with star catcher and 2012 NL MVP Buster Posey, according to Buster Olney of ESPN. Posey will earn $167M over nine years, Olney reports. The deal also includes an option for the 2022 season

In his first full season in 2010, Posey hit .305/.357/.505 as a 23 year old, earning him the NL Rookie of the Year Award and helping the Giants to their first World Series title in San Francisco. Unfortunately for the Giants, he missed most of the 2011 season after breaking his leg while blocking the plate. The team struggled without their star and missed the playoffs. Returning from that injury, Posey put together one of the best seasons ever by a catcher in 2012 and led the Giants to their second World Series win in three years. He led the National League in batting average last season and was second in on-base percentage, with a batting line of .336/.408/.549. He was among the best defensive catchers in the games as well, throwing out a league-leading 38 base runners (30%) and allowing just two passed balls. By Fangraph’s calculations, he saved the Giants 7.1 runs with his glove.

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Posey had signed a one year/$8M deal earlier this off-season to avoid arbitration and that number is included in Olney's $167M figure. The deal is the second largest contract ever given to a catcher, behind Joe Mauer’s 8 year/$184M deal signed in 2011. This deal buys out three remaining arbitration-eligible seasons and five years of free agency. Posey’s deal also comes in second to Mauer’s in average annual value at $18.55M. However, At nine years, this is the longest contract ever given to a catcher and unlike Mauer, Posey still would have had several arbitration seasons remaining before he could leave San Francisco.

This deal is also the largest contract the Giants have ever given a player. Signing catchers to long term deals is always dangerous, but given Posey’s age and ability, the Giants aggressiveness here is understandable. With two World Series Championships in the two seasons he has played full time, San Francisco is clearly excited at the possibility of having Buster Posey around through 2022.