San Francisco Giants, Brandon Belt become rarity of offseason

As it turns out, Brandon Belt and the San Francisco Giants were the exception to the rule when it came to qualifying offers following the 2021 season.

The qualifying offer decision by Brandon Belt made him a rarity and solidified the 2022 lineup for the San Francisco Giants

Of the 14 Major League Baseball players who were extended a qualifying offer this offseason, Belt was the only one to accept the $18.4 million, one-year deal that comprised this year’s qualifying offer. You can see the entire list of those position players and pitchers who turned down the qualifying offer here.

By accepting the one-year deal, the 33-year-old Belt immediately strengthens a San Francisco Giants lineup that sorely missed his bat during the 2021 National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Belt appeared in just 97 games last season because of a myriad of injuries and was lost for the rest of the year on September 26 when he suffered a fractured thumb after being hit by a pitch.

While Belt struggled to stay on the field last season, when he was on it, he was effective, slashing .274/.378/.597 with a .975 OPS (OPS+ of 160). His 29 home runs led the Giants.

With his age and recent injury history as a barometer for what he could get in an open market that has a lack of big name first basemen available, Belt’s acceptance of the qualifying offer makes a great deal of sense for both he and the Giants. San Francisco brings back a veteran player who has only been a part of their franchise since he was drafted in the fifth round by the Giants in the 2009 draft. Belt, meanwhile, returns to a comfortable environment and one that has a strong possibility of returning to the postseason if they can rebuild a rotation that has plenty of question marks at the moment.

It’s important to note that, while Belt accepted the one-year deal, he and the Giants can work on a longer agreement should both sides be interested.