The San Francisco Giants agreed to a six-year, $151 million extension for star third baseman Matt Chapman this week, likely securing the 31-year-old for the rest of his career. Chapman earned the massive extension by turning back the clock in 2024, rising back through the ranks to become one of the most valuable players at his position this season.

“This offseason was a little strange with the free-agent market, but I was willing to bet on myself,” Chapman said at a news conference Thursday. “I believed in myself. I believed that the Giants would see my value as the season went on and what I bring every single day.”

In 136 games this season, Chapman is batting .247 with 22 home runs and 69 RBIs, putting him on track for his best season since his early days with Oakland. After a stellar 2018 season and All-Star Game appearance in 2019, Chapman settled into a role as an effective third baseman in his late 20s, holding his own at the plate and earning two Gold Glove Awards.

In his first season with the Giants, however, he has once again become a premier player. His 6.0 WAR is among the highest in the league, establishing him as a highly profitable pickup for the Giants. It is clear that the team intends to keep him for the long haul. Giants manager Bob Melvin praised his instructive play Thursday.

“We have some younger guys here that are learning their way and developing right now, and they watch the way he plays the game,” Melvin said. “There’s an expectation of how it needs to be played and he’s setting the example of that and guys have to fall in line.”

The Giants aren’t playoff contenders this year, trailing well behind the Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Padres in the N.L. West. Nearly three years removed from a 107-win season, the team is rebuilding after missing out on several free agent signings in recent offseason. Chapman may not be able to maintain this level of performance throughout the process, but the team clearly believes he has a part to play as the team attempts to develop young talent around him.

Major League Baseball’s Opening Day is just around the corner! With that being said, it is time to make predictions for each team heading into the 2021 season following a campaign shortened by the pandemic in 2020.

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The Oakland Athletics have made the postseason in each of the last three years. Their last World Series appearance and win came in 1989. Since 2000, the team has made the postseason 11 times. In 2020, the A’s finished fifth in ERA across the league posting a 3.77 ERA, and finished 19th in home runs with 71 homers. Looking onto 2021, the Athletics should make the postseason once again.

Here are Oakland’s projected starters.

Oakland Athletics Projected Batting Order:

1. SS Elvis Andrus
2. OF Ramon Laureano
3. 3B Matt Chapman
4. 1B Matt Olson
5. OF Mark Canha
6. 1B Mitch Moreland
7. OF Stephen Piscotty
8. C Sean Murphy
9. 2B Tony Kemp

Oakland Athletics Projected Pitching Staff:

• SP1 Jesus Luzardo
• SP2 Sean Manaea
• SP3 Frankie Montas
• SP4 Chris Bassitt
• SP5 Mike Fiers
• CL Trevor Rosenthal

Oakland Athletics Team Outlook:

Over the course of the 2021 offseason, the Athletics made additions to improve their chances at a playoff berth. Oakland signed first baseman Mitch Moreland, closer Trevor Rosenthal and reliever Sergio Romo. In February, they acquired shortstop Elvis Andrus and catcher Aramis Garcia via trade with the Texas Rangers. In this trade, the A’s sent Khris Davis, Johan Heim, and Dane Acker to Texas.

Despite the team’s additions, they lost closer Liam Hendricks, shortstop Marcus Semien, outfielder Robbie Grossman, and starting pitcher Mike Minor during the offseason. With the free-agent additions, the Oakland Athletics have increased the likelihood of postseason success. Additionally, they will make a deep run if they push two of their up-and-coming pitchers to ace status.

Oakland Athletics Schedule:

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