With all the talk about MLB players not wanting to play in San Francisco, the Giants have certainly signed their fair share of free agents as spring training gets underway.
The latest of these new additions is third baseman Matt Chapman, who signed a contract with the Giants announced as a one-year, $18 million deal, though the 30-year-old could opt to play in San Francisco for the next four months. Seasons.
During his introductory news conference Monday in Scottsdale, Ariz., Chapman told reporters he couldn't understand why anyone wouldn't want to play in San Francisco.
“I chose to come here,” Chapman said. “I think everyone is different, and everyone has different things that matter to them, but I'm from California. I played in the Bay Area. I'm comfortable here. And people say what they say, but I think at the end of the day when you look at the series, they want to win. They won. Before. They know how to do it.
“They have great players and great coaches. So, I don't see a reason why people wouldn't want to come here, and I know a lot of people have reached out to me and said they want to play here and they've told me so.” “So I think if this were a narrative, it would change.”
Opinions about the negative stereotype surrounding San Francisco — whether fair or not — resurfaced in December when the former Giants catcher attacked Buster Posey stated This perception could impact the team's free agency efforts During the interview With The Athletic's Andrew Baggarley.
Chapman, who played for the Oakland Athletics for the first five seasons of his seven-year MLB career, said he hopes to help attract players to play for the Giants in the Bay.
“I don't think I necessarily have to change anything,” Chapman said. “I think… like I said, I think it depends on the person. But I know the guys want to play with some of the guys here, and the guys want to play with me — guys that have told me they'll come and play with me where I am. So, obviously, we'd love to be Here for a long time.
“This is something I can see for myself, and I will definitely bring players in any way I can and make this team as competitive as possible.”
After signing Chapman, Jung Ho Lee, Jorge Soler and others, the Giants ended up finding several talented free agents who were more than happy to play in San Francisco. However, it remains to be seen whether or not they will add more – but perhaps Chapman will already be contributing to his new team behind the scenes.
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