SF Giants agree to one-year, $3.5 million deal with 1B LaMonte Wade Jr.
The SF Giants avoided arbitration with first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. on Thursday, agreeing to a one-year, $3.5 million contract. The agreement was first reported by Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle and has been confirmed by Giants Baseball Insider via a source. The Giants have now finalized deals with the right side of their infield after settling with second baseman Thairo Estrada earlier in the day. Wade's salary will more than double from 2023, when he made $1.375 million.
SF Giants 1B/LF LaMonte Wade Jr. swings for the fences at Oracle Park (2023).
Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
In his first season as the Giants unequivocal starting first baseman, Wade got off to an All-Star caliber start. He showcased impressive power alongside his usual standout on-base abilities. However, Wade clearly wore down as the season went on. A solid defensive outfielder, Wade was limited to first base for the majority of the season, which forced worse defensive players like Joc Pederson into left field. It was still a solid first season as the full-time starter, but Wade's final .256/.373/.417 line and 17 home runs were well short of the lofty expectations he set early in the season.
Wade, who was shrewdly acquired by Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi in a trade with the Twins back in 2020, first popped up as an excellent platoon bat and pinch-hitter with the team in 2021, earning the nickname "Late Night" LaMonte for his penchant for big hits during San Francisco's 107-win campaign. Wade received 381 plate appearances, hitting .253/.326/.482 with 17 doubles, 18 home runs, and 56 RBI.
Much like many other prominent contributors in 2021, though, Wade took a step back in 2022. Hampered by leg injuries throughout the season, he hit just .207/.305/.359 with eight home runs in 251 plate appearances. A significant decline in hard-hit rate led to some speculation that the SF Giants would non-tender him in the offseason. However, Zaidi and former manager Gabe Kapler remained confident at the time that Wade would return to form when healthy. His 2023 season validated their thought process.
