The offseason is really starting to roll along, and the San Francisco Giants have some news. Right-handed pitcher Kevin Gausman has accepted the qualifying offer, which means he’s in line to return to the Giants on a one-year deal worth $18.9 million.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported the news. Gausman had to decide whether to accept or reject the offer by the end of the day.
Right-hander Kevin Gausman will accept the qualifying offer and return to the San Francisco Giants, a source familiar with the situation tells ESPN. Gausman, who had a breakout 2020 after joining the Giants, will make $18.9 million on a one-year deal.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 11, 2020
Now, before we get into the details, I should acknowledge the copious amounts of egg on my face. I initially said that there was no way the Giants would extend the qualifying offer to Gausman. When they did, I said it must be that the two sides were working on a multi-year deal, and the Giants knew he would reject the qualifying offer but extended it for added protection.
And now here we are. Why do you listen to me? Hopefully you don’t.
Either way, Gausman is back. He and the Giants can still negotiate a multi-year deal, but at the very least he’ll be at Oracle Park for another season and a cool $18.9 million.
It comes on the heels of a tremendous year for the two-pitch pitcher, who had a 3.62 ERA, a 3.09 FIP, and 79 strikeouts to just 16 walks in 59.2 innings. He was the Giants best pitcher, and given how weak their rotation was, it was scary to think of him not being on the team for 2021.
But he will be. Gausman was one of six players in MLB who was extended a qualifying offer this offseason. New York Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman was the only other player to accept the offer.
Welcome back, Kevin.