The Buster Posey era appears to be coming to an end in San Francisco.
The seven-time All-Star catcher is set to announce his retirement in a news conference Thursday, according to a report from The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly. The Giants have not confirmed the decision.
There was a chance Posey would become a free agent this offseason, with the Giants holding a $22 million club option on him (with a $3 million buyout) for 2022. Most assumed the two sides would remain together, but instead, the 34-year-old Posey will walk away after a 12-season career that will have many predicting eventual enshrinement in the Hall of Fame.
Posey’s list of accomplishments is a long one. He was the 2010 NL Rookie of the Year and the 2012 NL MVP, while also earning four Silver Slugger Awards, one Gold Glove Award behind the plate and one NL batting title. Then there is the tremendous team success during his tenure. Posey helped the Giants win World Series championships in 2010, ‘12 and ‘14, guiding pitchers such as Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum along the way.
What makes Posey’s decision a surprise is that he enjoyed a huge resurgence in 2021. After two seasons of declining performance in 2018 and ‘19, he opted not play in the pandemic-shortened ‘20 season. Perhaps rejuvenated by the time off after so many seasons crouching behind the plate, Posey enjoyed his finest offensive campaign since 2014. He hit .304/.390/.499 (140 OPS+) with 18 home runs and 56 RBIs in 113 games, making his seventh All-Star team.
With Posey’s help, the Giants shocked the baseball world by going 107-55 to beat the heavily favored Dodgers by one game for the NL West crown. Posey then posted an .850 OPS during San Francisco’s five-game NLDS loss to L.A., striking out against Kenley Jansen in what could be his final plate appearance.
Posey’s time in the Giants organization began way back in 2008, when the club selected him fifth overall in the 2008 Draft out of Florida State. He shot through the Minors and made his MLB debut on Sept. 11, 2009. It wasn’t long before he was entrenched as a franchise cornerstone.
If this is it for Posey, he finishes his career with a .302/.372/.460 batting line, 158 home runs, 729 RBIs and 44.9 wins above replacement (WAR), per Baseball-Reference.