MLB Free Agency: San Francisco Giants sign Austin Jackson
The San Francisco Giants have reportedly signed outfielder Austin Jackson to a two-year deal.
Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports has reported that veteran free agent outfielder Austin Jackson has signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the San Francisco Giants.
Heyman also notes Jackson’s deal comes with incentives that could make him as much as $8.5 million. He is guaranteed to make $3 million dollars in each of his two years in the Bay.
Jackson has bounced around the league lately. This will be his fifth team in the last four years. He spent the 2017 season with the Cleveland Indians. Jackson had a productive year in a somewhat limited role with the Indians, slashing .318/.387/.482 with seven home runs and 35 RBI in 318 plate appearances.
Sources: Austin Jackson to giants. 6M, 2 Years. Elevators coukd take it to 8.5M.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 23, 2018
Though the Giants finished last in the NL West in 2017 and tied with the Detroit Tigers for the worst record in the league (64-98), they are unquestionably attempting to contend in 2018. The Giants have made a series of moves indicating they are not planning on starting a rebuild this year.
Last month the team traded for third baseman Evan Longoria. Longoria previously spent 10 years with the Tampa Bay Rays. A week ago, the Giants also traded for former Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, who is a five-time all-star. McCutchen and Longoria figure to add some pop to a Giants team that finished last in the league in 2017 with just 128 home runs.
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The Giants appear to be committed to competing for a spot in the playoffs, at least for another year. Jackson will likely play center field in what will be a new-look outfield for the Giants in 2018.
The veteran outfielder will turn 31 this February. Though he’s been a bit of a wanderer the past few years, Jackson has long been a dependable player, with a career batting average of .275 and OPS+ of 102.