Giants, Gillaspie Avoid Arbitration

Oct 5, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; San Francisco Giants third baseman Conor Gillaspie (21) reacts after hitting a three run home run during the ninth inning against the New York Mets in the National League wild card playoff baseball game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco Giants and Conor Gillaspie have agreed to a one-year, $1.4M deal to avoid arbitration, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

Gillaspie, 29, returned to San Francisco last offseason on a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. In 2008, the Giants selected Gillaspie in the draft along with future All-Stars Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford.

The third-baseman had his cup of coffee the same season San Francisco drafted him due to a verbal agreement between the two parties, and many of the team’s veterans did not believe he rightfully earned a September call-up considering he barely got his feet wet in the minors.

The Wichita State product did not help his reputation by asserting to the media that he would have no difficulty transitioning to major-league pitching because he succeeded at every level, which earned him a lecture from an unidentified veteran.

Gillaspie rightfully worked his way back up to the big leagues following his eight game stint with the Giants in 2008, but only played a combined games in 2011 and 2012.

His participation in six games during the latter of those two seasons ensured him a championship ring when the Giants swept the Detroit Tigers in the World Series.

With the emergence of Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco had no room for another young third baseman who required playing time and the team traded Gillaspie to the Chicago White Sox in February of 2013.

The trade to Chicago turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Gillaspie, who not only filled the White Sox’s vacancy at the hot corner, but had the opportunity to make a first impression.

Gillaspie played well as Chicago’s starting third baseman, slashing .265/.322/.404 with 20 home runs and 97 RBIs.

2015 was not kind to Gillaspie as both the White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels designated him for assignment. He played 75 games in what was the worst season of his career since San Francisco traded him to Chicago.

Upon his return to the Giants’ organization, Gillaspie initially lost the battle for a spot on the bench in spring training to Kelby Tomlinson and Ehire Adrianza, but an injury-bug which affected the entire team him a shot with the big league club.

The former 38th-overall pick was a solid presence off the bench in the regular season, slashing .262/.307/.440 with six home runs and a WAR of 1.1.

Gillaspie forever became a San Francisco baseball hero with his play in the postseason. In the NL Wild Card Game against the New York Mets, Gillaspie launched a three-run shot in the top of the ninth against Jeurys Familia, propelling San the Giants to a 3-0 victory along with the pitching of Madison Bumgarner.

In the next round against the eventual World Series champion Chicago Cubs, Gillaspie tripled off Aroldis Chapman in the bottom of the eighth inning of Game 3, putting the Giants up by one. Gillaspie also went 4-4 in Game 4, where Chicago eliminated the Giants from postseason contention.

Gillaspie will likely play backup for Eduardo Núñez, who had a career year last season with both the Minnesota Twins and the Giants.

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