Cubs Star Free Agent Target Agrees To Deal With San Francisco Giants

The saga surrounding the Chicago Cubs and their high-profile free agent target has ended after he agreed to a deal with another team.

Entering the offseason, it seemed like the Chicago Cubs were going to be in the market for multiple superstar players available on the market.

Targets like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Juan Soto, and others on their list all ended up with other teams.

For a while, it looked like the Cubs were going to whiff on their promise of putting together a contending unit.

Then things started falling into place.

Chicago landed Shota Imanaga, traded for a top prospect, upgraded their bullpen, and finally re-signed Cody Bellinger.

The one glaring weakness on their roster was at third base.

Even with three candidates who could feasibly play that position throughout 2024, they all have flaws that could present new manager Craig Counsell the same issues that persisted last year.

That's why four-time Gold Glove winner Matt Chapman seemed like an obvious addition for the Cubs.

He would bring elite defense to that position, something the organization wants to emphasize, while also being an above-average hitter.

However, outside of some rumored interest, nothing evolved beyond that.

Now, those rumors can officially be put to bed after Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported that the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a three-year, $54 million deal with Chapman.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com adds that there are opt-outs after the first two seasons with him earning $20 million in 2024, $18 million the next, and $16 million the year after that.

Outside of Chicago, the Giants seemed like another obvious fit for Chapman.

His manager when he was with the Oakland Athletics, Bob Melvin, accepted the managerial job with San Francisco this offseason. The star third baseman will now reunite with the skipper who oversaw the best years of his career.

For the Cubs, depending on how the situation at third base plays out in 2024, there's a chance they could go after Chapman again next winter if he puts together a good season and opts out.

One of their top prospects could also eventually become the starter before the year is over, which would be the ideal result for the long term.

So for now, the Chapman to Chicago saga is over after this deal with the Giants.