SAN FRANCISCO — Jake Peavy had no problem being patient as the San Francisco Giants pursued re-signing Pablo Sandoval and went after Jon Lester.
Peavy knew where he wanted to be. Anyway, he needed a bit of downtime to recharge and discuss his options with family after the thrill of winning another championship and to get a feel for his first free agency experience.
“I wasn’t Jon Lester, let’s get this straight,” Peavy said good-naturedly Tuesday after finalizing a $24 million, two-year contract that came together last week. “I wasn’t flying around.”
Peavy will receive a $4 million signing bonus, $7 million next season and $13 million in 2016. The contract includes a full no-trade provision and award bonuses.
A 33-year-old right-hander, Peavy helped Boston win the 2013 World Series and was traded to San Francisco on July 26. After beginning 1-9 with Boston, Peavy went 6-4 with a 2.17 ERA in 12 starts for San Francisco. He was 1-2 in four postseason outings as the Giants won their third title in five years.
“I just appreciate Jake sticking with us this free-agent process,” assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. “We’re thrilled to have him back. We certainly wouldn’t have accomplished what we did in 2014 without him. Couldn’t see going forward without him. His contributions last year were a game-changer for us. His presence in the clubhouse, on the bench, his influence on that club was significant.”
Peavy said he had “some really nice offers” but it wasn’t all about the highest bidder — “I wasn’t chasing the most money” — as he weighed what was best going forward following his 13th major league season.
“To be able to accomplish what we did last year was as special as anything I could ever imagine,” he said. “San Francisco’s a special place. It’s known across the land now, what the organization’s been able to accomplish. How could you not as a professional athlete not want to be a part of what we have here now?”
Peavy is in the process of shipping a cable car for his expansive Alabama ranch. After winning with Boston in 2013, he bought a duck boat with Jonny Gomes’ encouragement. He eventually plans to hold camps and youth clinics on his property.
“We’ll do something before spring training and maybe send a picture out,” he said of the iconic cable car. “People will really enjoy seeing something me and my family brought home commemorating some of the happiest times in our lives.”
Reunited with his former San Diego manager Bruce Bochy, Peavy fit right in back in California.
“For me it was great to be reunited with Jake last year,” Bochy said. “He helped change our club. We don’t get to the postseason without him. … I’m thrilled to have him back. To have a veteran presence like Jake gives us, the intensity and fire he plays with, it’s contagious.”
Peavy thanked the Giants for making arrangements so all of his family could get to San Francisco right away after the trade.
Now, he would like to bring the city another World Series crown.
“Once you win, it does nothing but re-energize you and you want to win worse than you did previous to ever winning,” Peavy said. “San Francisco knows what I can do. I feel like I can be a really good major league baseball player. I wouldn’t show up if I didn’t think that I could go out and replicate what I did in August and September there, and I expect to do that.”
To clear roster space, the Giants sent left-hander Michael Kickham through waivers and he was claimed by the Cubs.
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