Matt Chapman's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

The New York Yankees are reportedly one of a number of clubs interested in signing free-agent third baseman Matt Chapman. The veteran remains one of the top free agents left on the market and perhaps the best infielder available. The 30-year-old tailed off after a blistering start at the plate in 2023 but still hit 17 home runs and 39 doubles, alongside a 10.7% BB% across 581 plate appearances, production that graded out 10% superior to the league average, as per his 110 wRC+. Of course, he remains an excellent defensive third baseman and boasts significant extra-base power with a career-high of 36 home runs set in the 2019 season. A lucrative multi-year deal is a lock for a player still in his prime.

If left-handed-hitting outfielder Cody Bellinger signs elsewhere in free agency this offseason, the Chicago Cubs could turn to right-handed-hitting third baseman Matt Chapman while seeking another left-handed bat some other way. Ultimately, the Cubs may want to give the majority of their designated hitter at-bats to Christopher Morel, as they did in 2023. The 30-year-old Chapman took a slight step backward offensively in his second year with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2023 and managed a modest 17 home runs despite finishing second in hard-hit rate with a barrel rate in the 98th percentile. His swing-and-miss issues are also concerning, but Chapman's deficiencies at the plate are offset by his excellent defense at third base.

Of the teams that could use free-agent third baseman Matt Chapman, the San Francisco Giants know him as well as anyone. President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi was with the Oakland Athletics for Chapman's first two seasons, and new manager Bob Melvin was for all five of Chapman's seasons in Oakland. Third base coach Matt Williams, who was with the A's in 2019 and '19, is an admirer of Chapman's. The 30-year-old would help the Giants' shortage of power while also providing an everyday anchor and stability on the left side of the infield. However, he's also just a year younger than Evan Longoria when he arrived in a trade from the Tampa Bay Rays in December of 2017. Longo had an OPS+ just three percent above league average in his five seasons in San Fran. Chapman is a four-time Gold Glover but hit just .205 with a .659 OPS after April 30, although his hard-hit and exit-velocity numbers for 2023 were among the best in MLB, suggesting a bounce-back season could be coming.