Just about every Giants fan was thrilled to see the organization give Logan Webb a long-term extension last week, a $90 million deal that will keep him in Orange and Black until at least 2028.
San Francisco broadcaster Mike Krukow is in that camp, and told Murph & Mac on Monday that he is happy the two sides finally came to an agreement. Finally, is the key word there, as Krukow also lamented that it took this long to get an extension sorted. He believes the looming deal put extra pressure on Webb and may have cost the Giants a game or two.
“I wish it could have gotten done earlier, quite honestly,” Krukow said on KNBR. “I do think it’s been on his mind, I think when you have this type of a carrot that’s dangling. I think these conversations with his agent and with Farhan [Zaidi], I think they were talking even back in the wintertime, certainly in spring training. When that happens for the player, you get these conversations with the agent and you’re talking about what’s on the line, and when you start hearing about what’s on the line, you’re thinking ‘I’ve got to do better, I’ve got to be perfect, I’ve got to help this thing get done.’
“It becomes a distraction for you on the field. Once it does get done, it’s this enormous sense of relief and sense of security, in a sport where let’s face it, a black cloud hangs around everybody’s locker every day.”
Webb has been knocked around a bit in his first three starts of the season, giving up four runs in each and four home runs total. As a comparison, Webb gave up just 11 and nine home runs in 2022 and 2021 respectively, and only gave up four runs or more in eight of this 32 starts last season. The Giants have lost all three of his starts so far this season.
“When you have five years of security that could alter your life and your family’s life, and we all know what family means to Logan Webb, that give you a security that gives you an ability to go out there and not have a distraction what you’re doing,” Krukow continued. “It makes you better.
“I’m looking forward to his start tonight because of having that deal done. I think you’re going to see a little bit of a different pitcher.”
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