Free agent Matt Chapman Receives Three Offers
Matt Chapman, formerly with the Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays, is reportedly connected to three teams, according to Jon Heyman. Notably, these are the same three teams that have been linked to various free agents this offseason. While previous information indicated the Chicago Cubs’ interest in Chapman, the latest report narrows down his potential suitors to the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays. The Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Dodgers are considered unlikely candidates or have ruled themselves out of contention for the four-time Gold Glove recipient.
In the 2023 season, Chapman experienced a decline in offensive performance, posting his lowest home run total in a full season of his career. Despite this, his exceptional defensive skills and significant power make him an above-average hitter and an outstanding third baseman.
Among the three teams vying for Chapman, the Cubs seem to have the least pressing need for a third baseman. Baseball-Reference data indicates that the San Francisco Giants had the lowest Wins Above Average from the third base position (-1.4), while the Blue Jays had the highest (2.5) with Chapman in that role. While the Cubs do require a third baseman, the Giants and Blue Jays, particularly considering the competitiveness of their respective divisions in 2024, should prioritize Chapman more than Chicago.
