Kevin Gausman accepts Giants qualifying offer
Kevin Gausman has decided to take a one-year qualifying offer to remain with the Giants
The San Francisco Giants missed the postseason in 2020, but still had plenty of positives to take into the offseason. One of those was the pitching of Kevin Gausman.
The veteran right-hander showed up in the Bay Area on a one-year deal last season and proceeded to post a 3.62 ERA in 12 total outings. He went 3-3 and had a career-high 11.9 K/9 mark on the season. That led the Giants to extend him a qualifying offer and the starter has decided to take the secure deal and return in 2021.
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
Gausman taking the sure money
This is quite the raise for Gausman. He got a $9 million deal before it was prorated last season. He is now more than doubling that salary after his great audition during the shortened 2020 season.
Gausman showed up in San Francisco after spending 2019 with both the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds. He was non-tendered by the Reds and the Giants decided to take a chance on him. Now he projects as a key member of the rotation and should be in line for a multi-year deal next offseason if he can repeat his success.
As it stands now, Johnny Cueto is set to lead the rotation in terms of salary at $21 million in 2021. Another player who could earn a nice deal is Drew Smyly, who is a free agent after his one year with the Giants. He posted a 3.42 ERA in seven outings.
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The Giants just missed the postseason in 2020 and posted their best winning percentage since reaching the playoffs back in 2016. There is a nice mix of young and veteran talent in place and getting Gausman back near the top of the rotation helps the team try to compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres moving forward.