The Giants are rewarding Mike Yastrzemski with a pay raise for 2022.
Instead of going to arbitration, Yastrzemski accepted a $3.7 million deal. That’s a big increase over his $600,000 salary in 2021 and more than his projected arbitration value of $3.1 million.
MLB Network’s Jon Heyman first reported the agreement.
Since Yastrzemski, 31, earned MVP votes in his second season, he’s a Super 2 player. That means he enjoyed an extra year of arbitration eligibility and will hit free agency in 2026. Though since his career was late-blooming, he likely won’t have much value on the open market then.
This year, Yastrzemski is likely to see plenty of time at center field this year, particularly against right-handed pitchers. The fourth-year outfielder is one of SF’s strongest defenders and more well-rounded players.
Yastrzemski had a disappointing 2021 in terms of batting average and getting on base, but still hit a career-best 25 home runs. He told The Athletic in February that a hit-by-pitch during last spring training disrupted his approach and comfortability in the batter’s box all season.
It’s notable that avoiding arbitration is a temporary option for Yastrzemski and the Giants. Unlike Darin Ruf, who signed a contract extension, the Giants are taking a year-by-year approach with Yastrzemski.