Since becoming the Giants' president of baseball operations, Buster Posey has consistently emphasized his desire to construct a fundamentally sound team – a team that plays “strong defense.” Zack Minasian, the team's latest general manager, sang an analogous tune during his opening press conference.
As Posey and Minasian begin constructing next 12 months's team, they won't must look far for 2 of baseball's best defenders.
Third baseman Matt Chapman and catcher Patrick Bailey were each named Gold Glove Award winners on Sunday. This is the primary time the Giants have had multiple award winners in a single season since Posey, second baseman Joe Panik and shortstop Brandon Crawford in 2016. They are the primary Giants to receive the award since Crawford in 2021.
“It means a lot,” Chapman said. “(Nolan Arenado) dominated the National League for a long time. Ke'Bryan Hayes won it last year. There are a lot of really good defensive third basemen in the National League. I was able to come here and win it. I thought it was pretty cool to get one in the American League and the National League.”
Bailey added: “I’m very proud of that. I was obviously a little frustrated that I didn't make it last year, but I put in the work and wanted to improve in all aspects and was just excited to be able to win it this year.”
Mike Yastrzemski was a finalist for the Gold Glove in right field, but the award went to the Brewers' Sal Frelick. Fremont's Steven Kwan won his third Gold Glove Award after taking home the hardware in each of his first three major league seasons.
For Chapman, who signed a six-year, $151 million extension with San Francisco in September, this is the fifth Gold Glove of his career, three of which he won with the A's. The 31-year-old's defensive resume also includes two Platinum Glove Awards, three Fielding Bible Awards and 109 defensive runs saved most of any position player since he made his debut.
For Bailey, arguably the best defensive catcher in baseball, it is the first time in his young career that he has won gold. The 25-year-old is the fourth catcher in Giants history to receive this award, joining Posey (2015), Mike Matheney (2004) and Kirt Manwaring (1993).
Given publicly available defensive metrics, Chapman and Bailey were both the strongest candidates to win at their respective positions.
Chapman led all third basemen in defensive runs saved (17) and tied with the Brewers' Joey Ortiz for the most outs above average (11). Bailey, a finalist last year, caught 19 runners attempting to steal second base in 64 attempts (the most in the Netherlands).
He led all the defenders inside Fielding run value (22), as well as all catchers in defensive runs saved (20) and Catcher framing runs (16). Be Pop time of 1.85 seconds tied for second place with JT Realmuto of the Phillies and Korey Lee of the White Sox as the best baseball players caught stealing above average (nine).
When Bailey and Chapman were asked if the other made a notable play, Bailey quickly pointed to Chapman's game-saving defensive gem against the Mets in Queens. Chapman couldn't think of a specific play for his backstop, but spoke generally of Bailey's ability to throw runners out.
“It's so fun to watch his quick transfer and his ability to pick up balls like a middle infielder and throw out guys at second base,” Chapman said. “I always enjoy seeing guys head to second base and watching Patrick throw them out.”
While the Giants have two of the perfect outfielders in baseball, their defense should improve overall.
Last 12 months, San Francisco's outfielders combined for -16 defensive runs saved (twenty seventh) and -19 outs above average (twenty ninth). Those numbers should improve if Jung Hoo Lee, who was limited to 37 games as a result of a season-ending left shoulder injury in May, returns to the patrol midfield.
Along with the outfield, the Giants' shortstops overall finished with -11 defensive runs saved and -3 outs above average, but they may quickly improve this unit in the event that they manage to sign Willy Adames or Ha-Seong Kim in free agency.
“Apparently Buster is pretty busy right now with the GM hiring. He has a lot going on, but I told him I would be as committed as they would like,” Chapman said. “I want the best for this team and to do that I have to bring people in, whether it's trading people or signing people. Whatever it is, I'm all for it. I signed up here because I really enjoy the people here and the staff we have and I think we can win here. So I’m going to do everything I can to get the guys here and help win.”
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