The San Francisco Giants finally have their center fielder.
After months of searching for a defensive upgrade in the heart of the outfield, the Giants have inked eight-year Major League veteran Austin Jackson to a two-year contract worth $6 million, according to Jon Heyman of FanRagSports.
Sources: Austin Jackson to giants. 6M, 2 Years. Elevators coukd take it to 8.5M.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 23, 2018
Jackson spent the first five years of his career roaming center field for the Detroit Tigers, and has also played for the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners and last season, the Cleveland Indians.
In 85 games with Cleveland last season, Jackson hit .318 and posted a .387 on-base percentage while slamming seven home runs and 19 doubles. Jackson wasn’t considered an elite defender, but he is a better outfielder than Denard Span, who was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in the Giants’ deal to acquire Evan Longoria earlier this offseason.
With the addition of Jackson at $3 million per season, San Francisco is a little more than $1 million shy of hitting the $197 million luxury tax threshold with its 2018 payroll. General manager Bobby Evans called the $197 million ceiling a target rather than a requirement, but the deal for Jackson suggests the Giants plan to stay under the tax next season.