Logan Webb was masterful in the Giants’ opening spring-training game against the Chicago Cubs, mowing down five of the seven batters he faced on strikes.
It might not be the free agency splash most fans were expecting once the lockout ended, but the Giants did end up signing a middle-of-the-order bat to a multi-year deal this week.
The Giants and outfielder/first baseman Darin Ruf are in agreement on a two-year, $6.25 million deal, per ESPN, buying out his final two years or arbitration and possibly also his first year of free agency. According to the New York Post, Ruf will get $3 million each of the next two years and the Giants have a $3.5 million option for 2024, with a $250,000 buyout.
Ruf, 35, started his career with the Philadelphia Phillies before going to South Korea for three seasons. He displayed tremendous power in the KBO, and after trying to sign him the offseason before, Farhan Zaidi was able to bring him to camp in 2020.
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Ruf started that shortened season as a lefty-crusher off the bench, but over the last two years he has gradually grabbed a bigger and bigger role. He has a .381 on-base percentage and has slugged .519 in two seasons with the Giants, hitting 21 homers. Ruf had an OPS over 1.000 against left-handed pitching last season and is among the league leaders in pitches per plate appearance.
The Giants expect Ruf to play left field, first or be the DH against left-handed pitchers this season. Kapler got him more involved against righties last year and said that will be a big part of the plan this year, too.
"He earned that last year," Kapler said last week. "His at-bats were as good as anybody's against both left and right, and we have a ton of confidence sending him up there against the toughest right-handed pitchers and right-handed relievers ... I'm comfortable with Darin in the middle of the lineup against both left-handers and right-handers."
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Ruf's deal came on a day when teams are exchanging arbitration figures. He was one of four arb-eligible Giants who did not sign a deal in November, along with Mike Yastrzemski, Curt Casali and Dominic Leone. If deals are not reached Tuesday, teams and players will go to hearings that will take place during the regular season because of the lockout.
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