MLB

With Belt's Six-Year Deal, Giants Lock Up Another Core Player

The Giants made Brandon Belt’s contract extension official on Saturday morning, announcing a six-year deal that includes this season and buys out Belt’s first four years of free agency.

The deal, first reported by CSN Bay Area on Friday night, guarantees Belt $79 million over six years, coming in just ahead of Brandon Crawford’s six-year, $75 million extension that kicked off a massive offseason. Since Crawford signed in mid-November, the Giants have guaranteed $405 million to five players. Belt's deal also includes a partial no-trade clause.

The 27-year-old is a lifetime .271 hitter, with 116 doubles, 63 homers and 237 RBI in 561 games. Belt’s on-base percentage of .355 since the start of the 2012 season ranks seventh among MLB first baseman, behind Joey Votto, Paul Goldschmidt, Prince Fielder, Freddie Freeman, Edwin Encarnacion and Anthony Rizzo.

Belt has also developed into a Gold Glove-caliber first baseman, and this deal makes it clear that he will stay at the corner, with Buster Posey staying behind the plate. Posey, like Belt, is signed long term. Crawford is also signed through 2021, and during negotiations Belt put an emphasis on being around to play with the rest of an All-Star filled young infield.

Belt will address the media after Saturday’s game, along with Larry Baer, Brian Sabean, Bobby Evans and Bruce Bochy.

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