MLB San Francisco Giants

Jake Peavy Should Strongly Consider Signing With San Francisco Giants

Fresh Videos

By @real_johnshea

Rich Schultz/Getty Images

Rich Schultz/Getty Images

The early stages of MLB free agency often give way to big-name players commanding lump sum contracts exceeding bankroll figures that most people can only dream about. Then there’s Jake Peavy, whose big league career was in the balance while posting an ugly 1-9 record in 20 starts with the Boston Red Sox before being traded to the San Francisco Giants in late July.

It didn’t seem like it at the time, but the Giants would not have won the 2014 World Series without the fiery right-handed veteran. In fact, they might not have even earned a Wild Card bid if it weren’t for Peavy’s stretch run dominance.

In July, the Giants needed Peavy just as bad as Peavy needed the Giants. The script has been rewritten, though. The Giants are certainly in need of starting pitching help this offseason, but their options extend well beyond Peavy’s iffy eyesight. The 33-year-old hurler was solid for San Francisco upon donning the orange and black, registering a 6-4 record with a 2.17 ERA over 78.2 innings in 12 starts, but he crumbled a bit in the postseason.

Peavy wasn’t the only Giants starter who had issues in October. Fellow back-end starter Ryan Vogelsong and heralded veteran Tim Hudson also struggled at times. But Peavy’s second-half dominance caused his free agent price tag to balloon, likely pricing him outside of what the Giants would ideally like to pay to yet another grisly veteran past his prime.

At the moment, the Giants have three starters locked up for the 2015 season: Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum. Given a mostly dominant postseason performance, it’s also not farfetched to think that Yusmeiro Petit will claim a spot in the rotation, which would leave one vacant slot available.

The Giants have made it known that their first offseason priority is to re-sign 2012 World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval, who recorded a postseason record 26 hits this past October. Peavy has been pushed to the back-burner, but rest assured the Giants have interest, especially considering the connection between the 2007 Cy Young Award winner and manager Bruce Bochy.

The Giants aren’t the only team that will have interest in Peavy this offseason, though. Peavy flaunts value to potential contenders, given his experience and leadership qualities. If the Giants’ board of investors chooses not to approve a sizable increase in team payroll for the 2015 season, Sandoval could be the only “big name” the Giants sign this offseason. Even if the team opts to make a push toward re-signing Peavy, other suitors could drive up the price point, making him unattainable.

That is, unless Peavy decides to take less money over fewer years to remain with the Giants, which isn’t entirely out of the question. Peavy’s on-the-field attitude perfectly complements the Giants’ mantra. If he were to accept a smaller contract with anyone, it should be with the Giants. But baseball is a business, and this offseason is likely Peavy’s final chance to yield a big payday.

John Shea is an MLB writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @real_johnshea. Like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on