The Toronto Blue Jays and new third baseman Matt Chapman have agreed to a new two-year, $25-million contract, Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith confirmed.
MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports that the contract will pay Chapman $12 million in 2022 and 2023, and includes a $1 million signing bonus.
The contract still leaves Chapman in line to become a free agent after the 2023 campaign, but provides cost certainty for both sides. Tuesday was the deadline for teams to reach agreements for the 2022 season with arbitration-eligible players, of which Chapman was one.
Chapman was in line to earn a projected $9.5-million salary this season through the arbitration process, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.
Chapman, 29, joined the Blue Jays in a blockbuster trade with the Oakland Athletics last week. The All-Star and Platinum Glove third baseman will shore up the infield after the departure of Marcus Semien, providing middle-of-the-lineup offence and helping protect the club's ground-ball heavy starting rotation.
Other Blue Jays eligible for salary arbitration, according to MLB Trade Rumours, include:
Ross Stripling
Teoscar Hernandez
Adam Cimber
Danny Jansen
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Cavan Biggio
You can watch Chapman when he and the Blue Jays face the New York Yankees in Grapefruit League action Tuesday afternoon. Coverage begins on Sportsnet and SN NOW, beginning at 1:07 p.m. ET / 10:07 a.m. PT.
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