The Giants are nearing a three-year, $13 million contract with left-handed specialist Javier Lopez, multiple reports said Wednesday. BayAreaSportsGuy.com was the first to report the terms.
San Francisco assistant general manager Bobby Evans said the sides were “close,” but a physical wouldn’t be scheduled until an agreement had been reached.
Among the top priorities of Evans and general manager Brian Sabean this offseason was to retain Lopez, if possible, while realizing he would be a popular player on the free-agent market. Discussions have been ongoing for some time.
The 36-year-old is part of a deep and experienced bullpen. He went 4-2 with a 1.83 ERA in 69 appearances this year, when the Giants missed the playoffs one season after winning their second World Series in three years.
Signing Lopez to a multiyear deal would give the Giants two lefties in the bullpen for the next two seasons. Jeremy Affeldt received an $18 million, three-year contract last November.
— Staff, wire report
