Ryan Vogelsong, Giants Reach Two-Year Contract Agreement

The San Francisco Giants reached a contract extension with one of the National League’s best pitchers in 2011.  Unfortunately for fans by the bay, we’re not talking about Matt Cain or Tim Lincecum.  The Giants and right-hander Ryan Vogelsong reached a two-year contract agreement yesterday.  Vogelsong’s new deal is worth $8.3 million and includes a club option for the 2014 season.

Vogelsong had a breakout 2011 season for the Giants.  The 34-year-old maintained a 2.71 ERA to go with his WHIP of 1.252 over 28 starts and 179 2/3 innings pitched.  These numbers earned Vogelsong his first All-Star appearance and allowed him to garner NL Cy Young votes.

What made the season all the more surprising was that the last time Vogelsong started a game in the majors was during the 2004 season.  Before bursting onto the scene last season, Vogelsong had spent the past four seasons jumping between Triple-A squads and even the Japanese League.

Now that they have Vogelsong locked up for at least two more seasons, the Giants can focus their attention on Cain and Lincecum.  San Francisco hopes to extend both of their young starters, but is running out of time as Cain is set to hit free agency next year and Lincecum will reach the open market following the 2013 season.

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