Aubrey Huff just re-signed with the San Francisco Giants on a two-year $22MM deal (with a $10MM club option for 2013 -- $2MM buyout). I like this contract a lot...
$10MM a year is not too much money. If Huff can meet his Bill James projections of .269/.348/.453 and play decent defense (maybe just a little above average), he'll be worth it. The Giants can use him as the starting first baseman until Brandon Belt is major-league ready, and at that point they can move Huff to the outfield. It's of course a risk, as Huff might not be able to play good defense in the outfield as he did in 2010, but it's a risk that the Giants will take. For $10MM, Huff's worth it. After all, the guy did finish 7th in NL MVP voting.
As recently as 2009, Huff had an atrocious season, putting up a slash line of .241/.310/.384...there is of course, the risk that he could return to being this hitter. Therefore, a two-year deal is perfect. Huff earned a good contract like this with his play, but anything more than two years is a big risk. He's getting older, as easy as that is to forget, and the Giants have a future star first baseman in Brandon Belt.
And the option -- of course, if Huff does maintain his 2010 performance level for the next couple of years, the Giants can choose to exercise his option, and keep him for 2013 at $10MM.
To sum it up, I am very satisfied with this contract. It gives Huff the money he deserves, but at the same time, not too much money. It also gives him the years he deserves, but allows the Giants to cut off ties with him by 2013, in case he does see a decline. Anyway, glad to have him back. Great clubhouse guy, impact bat, and his defense is better than most say it is.
