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Zaidi: Keeping Posey with Giants will be 'high priority'

Daniel Shirey / Major League Baseball / Getty

Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi is focused on ensuring All-Star catcher Buster Posey remains in San Francisco.

"I just mentioned I thought he was the best catcher in baseball, so that's probably the answer you're looking for," Zaidi said Monday when asked if the Giants will exercise Posey's $22-million 2022 club option, according to Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic.

Zaidi added: "Having him on this team will be a high priority."

Posey, a former MVP and three-time World Series champion, slashed .304/.390/.499 with 18 homers in 113 games during his age-34 campaign. He'd previously appeared to be on the decline.

Meanwhile, Zaidi's tune was a little different when it came to impending free-agent Kris Bryant. The executive said the trade deadline acquisition of the star third baseman/outfielder was about going all-in, but he added that the Giants need to see how the market will play out since Bryant will probably have many suitors.

Zaidi also added that he wants to keep as many pieces as possible on a San Francisco club that won a franchise-best 107 games in 2021 before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.

"We want to keep as much of this group together as we can," Zaidi said.

In addition to Bryant, starting pitchers Kevin Gausman, Anthony DeSclafani, and Alex Wood, plus longtime first baseman Brandon Belt and infielder Donovan Solano, are all eligible to test free agency.

Zaidi said the rotation will be a top priority with so many starters looking for new contracts.

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