The Giants and first baseman Brandon Belt recently avoided arbitration on a one-year, $2.9 million deal. Belt is also open to an even longer deal with what he calls a "first-class organization," according to MLB.com's Chris Haft.
Brandon Belt open to long-term deal with Giants
Giants general manager Brian Sabean is reportedly open to the idea as well.
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Belt, 25, called his first big major league deal “magical” and a “special moment.”
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As a super-two player, Belt will be eligible for arbitration for three more seasons, which could lead to more considerable raises if he continues to hit like he did last season.
In 571 plate appearances, he batted .289/.360/.481 with 17 homers and a weighted on-base average of .365. Arbitration tends to reward counting stats, like home runs and runs batted in, so Belt could benefit financially from hitting a few more balls over the fence, but his value to the team is more apparent in his solid on-base percentage and his strong glove at first.
Buster Posey is expected to play first base for parts of the 2014 season, so Belt could shift to left field occasionally, making himself even more valuable due to his positional flexibility. His long-term home is probably at first, but if the Giants want to keep Posey's bat in the lineup while giving him time off behind the plate, Belt could spell Michael Morse in the outfield.
Belt provides the Giants with a strong left-handed bat in a lineup dominated by right-handed hitters. A long-term deal appears to be of interest for both sides, but in the wake of Belt’s new deal, extended negotiations might not begin until next winter.
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