The Giants intend to exercise their $10MM club option on Alex Cobb’s services for the 2024 season, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post (X link). In another notable Giants pitching development, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports (via X) that Sean Manaea has elected to opt out of the final year of his contract, foregoing a $12.5MM salary to test free agency.
It was widely expected that Cobb’s option would be picked up, though a possible wrench was thrown into the mix with last week’s news that Cobb was undergoing hip surgery. Though Cobb might not be able to return to a big league mound until May at the earliest, the Giants decided that the $8MM net decision (Cobb’s option contained a $2MM buyout) was still worth the investment. Obviously the surgery was no surprise to the team, as Cobb has battled hip problems for much of the season and had his year officially ended by a 15-day injured list placement in late September.
Cobb signed with San Francisco in November 2021 on what is now a three-year, $28MM deal with the option exercised. The results have been more than solid, as Cobb has a 3.80 ERA over 301 innings for the Giants, and he was even an All-Star this past season. His strikeout rate, barrel rate, and total barrels declined sharply from 2022 to 2023, though Cobb also improved his walk rate and his fastball velocity from season to season. Cobb also has a 59.4% grounder rate across the last two seasons, and a .327 BABIP indicates that his numbers might’ve been better if it wasn’t for the Giants’ subpar infield defense.
Injuries have also been a factor, as Cobb has been on the IL four separate times during his Giants tenure. That said, Cobb still brought some durability to the rotation since he and Logan Webb were the only two starters San Francisco used in a normal starting role for much of the 2023 season. The Giants addressed the other rotation spots in a number of ways, ranging for actual starts, piggyback-style pitcher usage, or an opener/bulk pitcher mix.
Manaea was one of the many Giants pitchers used in this fashion, as he started only 10 of his 37 appearances. However, Manaea often found himself in a bulk pitcher or piggyback role, and he finished with 117 2/3 innings pitched while posting a 4.44 ERA and an above-average 25.7% strikeout rate. It was a pretty decent course-correction for Manaea after some early struggles cost him a full rotation job, and it was a good bounce-back after a down year with the Padres in 2022.
Despite that down year, Manaea landed a two-year, $25MM deal with the Giants last winter, with the opt-out built into the contract so Manaea could quickly re-enter the market if he had a better platform year. While not a hands-down breakout year on paper, the left-hander should be able to find another multi-year deal heading into his age-32 season, likely with a team that wants him in a full-time starting role.
Heading into 2024, San Francisco’s rotation consists of Webb, Cobb (when healthy), DeSclafani (if healthy), Stripling (who passed on his own opt-out opportunity), and Kyle Harrison, with Tristan Beck, Jakob Junis, and Keaton Winn on hand as depth options. The Giants might well use at least one rotation spot for another mix-and-match assortment of pitchers, but the club is known to be looking for pitchers to bring more stability to the starting five. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is known to be on the Giants’ radar, and depending on how aggressive the team plans to be, any number of top free agent or trade options could be explored.
I was told Manaea sucked and the Giants were stuck with him…
He pitched well after May. He’s looking a multi-year contract.
I hope Conforto opts out (not worth 18 million).
I’m not Conforto-ble with the Giants lineup. A bunch of Cobbs, Barts, and other dorks.
As a fan why do you care if he’s worth $18 million. The important question as a fan is if they don’t have Conforto will they replace him with someone better?
I can’t stand comments like this. You care bc you know your team has a budget, and whether you like it or not, they are likely going to stay within that budget. If Conforto eats up $18m of the aforementioned budget, that makes it more difficult to acquire the players fans might otherwise prefer.
No, they don’t actually care about the Giants owners pockets… they care about a BUDGET… bc once again – most teams have them..
Bingo
Giants dodged that bullet.
GMoney28— Oh my gosh, Manaea opting out is fantastic news for the Giants. Talk about dodging a bullet!
Maybe Conforto next?
With the overall year Conforto had, I’d highly doubt he’s going to pass on 18 million. Odds are he takes that 18 million and hopes for even at least a slightly better year to take into free agency. Because any multi year offer he’d receive this offseason is probably the same he’d receive if he just had another year of the same output. Highest I’d give that chance of him opting out is 25%.
Even though this is no surprise, I was hoping he’d stay. I saw more than enough last season as he righted the ship after a shaky start to hope he’d opt in. At the least he’d be veteran insurance against having a bunch of inexperienced pitchers like Harrison, Beck, and Keaton on the staff. I kind of think, had he been given more starts, and not pitched so much as part of bullpen games, he might have been more inclined to stay.
Jean Matrac — He’s looking for a bigger payoff, maybe because he knows he’ll never have this chance again.
Look at his career stats. He is what he is, nothing more.
I did look at his career stats, and maybe you should look again. He had a couple of very good seasons. And he has decent stuff, that an adjustment, or a new pitch, could make him a valuable rotation piece.
Look at what happened last season. They had 6 SPs, as well as Junis as a potential 7th and wound up with only 2 reliable starters. I suggest you look at who is better to replace Manaea with. They need pitching depth. I know they have Harrison, Beck and Keaton, but any team depending on young pitchers for the success of a season. is in trouble.
Jean Matrac — I’d much rather the Giants give Harrison, Beck, Winn and Whisenhunt the innings than running back a career 4.10 career ERA and whose only quality years were 2016 and 2018.
Pete’sView, That makes me think you haven’t seen a lot of young, inexperienced pitchers, and how much the majority of them struggle, Pitching is a learned skill, And it usually takes several seasons to learn how to maximize their stuff, and figure out what works and what doesn’t. Over his first 21 games (19 GS) Logan Webb had a 79 ERA+. Are you expecting Beck, Winn and Whisenhunt to be better than Webb was at the beginning of his career?
You’re also letting one bad month cloud your appraisal of Maneaea’s season. From May 1 on, he pitched to an ERA of 3.80. Over his second half he had an ERA of 3.43. Sub-4.00 ERA pitchers just aren’t that abundant. If 2 those young pitchers struggle, having Manaea wouldn’t be the worst fall back.
We can agree to disagree.
Certainly. But I kind of expected some stats or something substantial to support the reason for your disagreement.
I did awhile back and asked you to look at his career stats. I think they tell a very clear story. Watch what 2024 looks like on his baseball card, the we can resume our discussion.n
Saying look at his career stats isn’t very illuminating. Plus his career stats aren’t awful. He has a career 4.10 ERA. He’s been at least league average, or better, in half of his seasons. Most teams don’t have 5 SPs that are league average. Of the 12 teams to make the postseason, only the Rangers, Braves, and Marlins had 5 or more SPs above league average. He’s not a TOR arm, or even mid-rotation, but pitching depth is very important, and the Giants are worse off without him.
As Pitbull once said : Hazme el favor y Manaea chica, tienes tremendo culo.
Which basically translates to shake your a$$.
Interesting on Manaea. I wouldn’t pay him $12.5m for 2024.
He’ll be shocked at the offers he gets and not in a good way.
Wrong. He’ll get 30 m at least
If you think he’s getting more than Cueto got last year, you are out of your mind.
Watch
@gmoney. Easy two year deal maybe 2/25 or 3/36.
3/30
@harambe. Ya think?
Maneaea is a gamblin’ man
And a #5 starter at best. Probably more a #6. A blessing for San Francisco.
I know it’s a weak free agent class, but it seems like Manaea and presumably Conforto are playing a dangerous game turning down the guaranteed cash after subpar seasons.
I’m thinking there agents have a reasonable idea on what’s out there for them. I’d be surprised if they are making blind decisions.
Yes, they’re obviously not randomly making blind decisions. But I question if they’re wise decisions. Not all players who bet on themselves are rewarded by the market.
@Andy It’s a calculated risk. Being wise doesn’t always get rewarded. It takes balls too to walk away from a large sum of guaranteed money.
YBC, It’s obviously not unwise for him to test the market. On the improbable chance that he doesn’t get a multi-year deal, he should have no problem finding a 1 year deal for about the same, or even slightly more, than what he’s walking away from.
Foppert1 — I agree, but I feel sorry for the team who gives a muti-year to Manaea.
I’m not that down on him. I respected the fact he kept his mouth shut and just clawed his way back by doing whatever role they asked him too. There was plenty of them.
I’m guessing there’s a starting role for him somewhere.
foppert1, You’re right. Though teams can’t talk to players yet, their agents can talk to teams in non-specific ways to get a good handle on possible deals. If there weren’t a good chance that he’d beat the 1/$12.5M, or 1/$15M, whatever it is, he would have opted in.
Strong FA class for starting pitching
almost every team needs pitching. Easy for him to match 1/12.5m. Might as well test the market. Conforto is a little different. But there is maybe 4 hitters better than him on the market. Pretty sure 1/18m he can match easily.
Manaea is exactly the type of pitcher a team like my brewers will go 2 and 28 for. Backloading the 2nd year of a deal tied to a mutual option and/or a higher buyout total. I suspect he will have numerous offers out on the market with similar dollar values attached. He will likely end up on a smaller market team on a 2 year deal where he can have a chance to do well within 1 year and opt out to get more with another return to market. If he doesn’t do well its a higher buyout to recoup some dollars and rehit open market. A smart move for the middle of the line, serviceable starters. Wade miley has made a career of doing this.
Very happy for Cobb. He earned that. We were hanging on by a mere thread and he kept going out there hurt and putting in. Could have easily prioritised his health and pulled the pin on the season. Well done, Giants.
Agree, he gave his all
The San Francisco Giants should be renamed the ‘Farhan Zaidi Clown Show’
A losing Organization that has only finished above .500 one time since 2016
This franchise is a mess
If the Giants are a clown show what are the Yankees? Please tell!
Giants have won 3 championships since the last time the Yankees won one
He took over an absolute dumpster fire and has been 50 games over .500 the last 3 years. Now has wide open books.
Good call tho
51* games over .500 in the last three years means two really disappointing years after the 107 win season right? They were 55 games over, then stayed there with a 81-81 season, then went to 79-83.
But that’s a really homer way to look at it. Congrats!
Since 2018, the Red Sox are 58 games over .500 with a World Series Championship. Forget the 2 absolutely terrible years and downward trend! Just start from the last time they won 108 games in a season and go from there! (107 for the Giants because the Red Sox are better)
What a stupid arbitrary argument
Is 3 years a lot fewer than 6? I forget
The point, my dear companion, is using one very good, flash in a pan season to explain away multiple losing seasons where the Giants have looked lost, is a very bad argument.
The fact is, since 2016 they have 1 winning season. And using the same 6 years as the Red Sox to make you happier, they’re only 25 games over 500.
My point stands
Yanks. $278 mill payroll in 23. Giants $187 mill payroll in 23. Yanks finish 3 games better than Giants. $91 mill diff in payroll. $30 mill per game in standings diff. Sounds kinda clownish to me. Didn’t Sabean join their front office?
Crikey pal! What’s your beef with the Giants? Who hurt you??
He’s a troll who also pretends to be a Padres fan. Depends on which account has been suspended/password has been forgotten. It’s very strange behaviour.
He’s also madbum14 on here
Back under your bridge Chumpy.
Why is there so many posts like these?
Just to piss you off. Did it work?
Well they dodged a manaea sized bullet there but I think the stripling one was bad enough. Hopefully Cobb bounces back from his second hip surgery at 36 but I will believe it when I see it.
Manaea just freed up $12.5 million that Zaidi can use to purse better players. Now if Conforto will opt out Zaidi will have another $18.5 million. Zaidi would then have $30+ million to get a significant everyday impact player.
From where? Unless they are going for Shohei, there is no one on the market worth $30MM a year. I seriously doubt the Padres would send Soto up north, but I guess it is possible.
25-30 million dollars a year? That’s what Bellinger is going to be looking for.
Yeah he will be looking for it, and will probably get it, but I said there is no one WORTH that much. I wouldn’t touch Bellinger with a 10 foot pole. One solid year shouldn’t make up for the prior 3 poor ones to me.
Considering they were one of the seven finalists for Ohtani in 2018 why wouldn’t they go after him?
No reason they couldn’t. As a Rockies fan, I hope they do. It would thrill me to see them tie up a significant amount of their payroll in a DH only guy for the next 10 years.
I mean I guess you know how that feels with Kris Bryant..
Not yet. They are trying to watch Bryant bumble around first base.
@hiflew. You know, all those difference making players that only cost a bakers dozen million. Because the giants need a $30+ million difference maker to get back into contention.
They are literally a collection of “I told you so” castoffs so the front office staff can get better jobs elsewhere.
??? Pretty dumb
wow, hiflew, he’s talking the total available for FA. It could increase by $30 mill. he’s not talking about one $30 mill FA. he’s talking about the total available to be increased
There is a god
In comic books maybe.
Spelt with a capital “G”. For those who don’t read comic books.
Surprised Manaea opted out. I’ve been saying this the past 3 offseasons, I’d love for the Mets to sign him on a 2 year 15 mil deal. He is better than what hes shown the past 2 years. If he is your 5th starter, your in great shape
He’s never been anything but a #5.
Come on Pete. You know that isn’t true. The 2018 A’s won 97 games, and Manaea was arguably the best pitcher on the staff.
Do you seriously think Manaea opted out of 1/$12,5M to sign for 2/$15M? With the dearth of decent FA pitchers, and plenty of teams needing pitchers, no one is signing Manaea for that.
@Jean Matrac statistically hes been pretty mediocre these past couple years. He really isn’t worth anything more than a 2 year 10 mil a year deal in my opinion even though I think hes better than what his stats have shown
That’s your opinion, but I think we’ll see Manaea easily exceed your numbers.
He wants to sign with the Yankees so he can sit on the DL for 6mos and a pay check like the rest of his old Oakland A’s buddies….as the Yankees are the A’s of the East!
Ok I’ll bite, who else besides Frankie Montas does this refer to on the current Yankees roster? Also it’s not Montas’ fault your GM traded for him the moment he came off the IL
@sacball
Lou Trivino
Sonny Gray and Donaldson didn’t work out in NY either
Not pitching well in San Francisco does not look good. I’m not sure what he is thinking. I don’t see how he matches that salary.
Did you see his K rate and velo jump?
Cincyfan85 — He’ll secure a multi-year and therefore make more than the $12.5 he would have made in SF in 2024. And he’ll still be a very meh pitcher.
Getting $16M over 2 years doesn’t feel like much of an upgrade over $12m for 1 year.
Junis is a free agent.
Beck and Harrison will likely be in opening day rotation.
Another guy who gave way more than what he got. Hope he gets paid.
That is what I thought. I read that sentence and thought I missed a signing.
Manaea is a garbage time pitcher. I wouldn’t pay him to play for our beer league team.
If im Manea, I’d opt out hoping to land with a team that’ll let me start and rebuild my value even if it’s on an 8 million dollar deal.
Manaea seems like a good candidate to sign with the White Sox. The Sox need at least 3 starters this offseason, and he has that experience. He also has a lot of bullpen work if they want/need him to mop up after or open for Kopech and Toussaint next year. There is the Brian Bannister connection that is a wild card. With him having just gone to the Sox front office from SF, he will weigh in heavily with Getz. I think if Bannister likes Manaea and he sits on the market a little bit, I see him in Chicago on a 2 or 3 yr club friendly deal.
you want that on the south side?
Not really, just something I can see happening. What I want and what the Sox front office does are entirely separate things lol.
Christmas comes early to the Bay….
Played well at the end.
A great clubhouse and team first player. Moved to bullpen. Never complained. Unlike Alex Wood. He Even got a save.
Thought he would opt-in after Bob Melvin signed but maybe not.
Best of luck I’m a fan for life
I’m thinking “opener” is the only pitching role he didn’t do. It felt like every series he was asked to do something different.
Giants only have Logan Webb ina long term contract. None of these short term deals will stop them from signing any free agents.