Jake Peavy of the San Francisco Giants pitches in the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals during Game One of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. on October 3, 2014.Al Bello/Getty Images
The Giants are keeping a key member of their World Series rotation, bringing back Jake Peavy and one of the Southern boys who thrived on the big October stage alongside ace Madison Bumgarner.
The right-hander agreed to a $24 million, two-year contract to stay with the World Series champions, two people familiar with the negotiations said Friday. They spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the deal had not yet been announced.
Peavy and right-hander Sergio Romo were undergoing physicals Friday in Arizona, and San Francisco was expected to make an announcement later in the day. Romo is set to receive a $15 million, two-year contract.
A three-time All-Star, Peavy provided a key lift and enthusiasm — not to mention fierce intensity — on the mound down the stretch as the wild-card Giants overcame their summer struggles.
Peavy's veteran presence benefited Bumgarner and also Tim Hudson. The three Southerners had a unique bond in their corner of the clubhouse.
"It is important, really a been-there-done-that kind of guy," pitching coach Dave Righetti said Friday of Peavy. "Another Southern guy, just an outgoing personality. It always lifts somebody's spirits, during long seasons you need a little jolt of electricity here and there, especially baseball. Peavy brought that. The best part was he won when he got here. He was really getting after it. He was tired of losing to be quite honest and he felt he should be winning. He was an aggressive personality, which I think Bum likes."
Peavy will receive a $4 million signing bonus, $7 million next season and $13 million in 2016. The deal includes a full no-trade provision and award bonuses.
A 33-year-old right-hander, Peavy helped Boston win the 2013 World Series, was traded to San Francisco on July 26 and won another championship with the Giants.
After beginning 1-9 with Boston, Peavy went 6-4 with a 2.17 ERA in 12 starts for San Francisco. He went 1-2 in four post-season outings as the Giants won their third title in five years.
Last week, San Francisco lost out on new Cubs left-hander Jon Lester after already seeing third baseman Pablo Sandoval leave for the Red Sox, so bringing back Peavy is a key move by general manager Brian Sabean.
Righetti enjoyed seeing how Peavy, Bumgarner and Hudson clicked immediately and fed off each other's successes.
"You see that very rarely. In a sense this wasn't made at all, it kind of grew," Righetti said. "These guys got the same makeup, a kinship. It doesn't work unless you win together. It's kind of neat how that played out and how they interact with each other. They're definitely unique personalities in their own right."
Peavy would receive $100,000 each for NL MVP or World Series MVP, $75,000 for NL Championship Series MVP, $25,000 for All-Star selection, $50,000 for a Gold Glove or Silver Slugger award and $250,000 for winning the Cy Young award. There are also bonuses for finishing in the top five for Cy Young.
A 31-year-old right-hander, Romo has spent all seven of his big league seasons with San Francisco, helping the Giants win three World Series championships in the past five years. He went 6-4 with a 3.72 ERA with 23 saves in 64 outings last season as San Francisco earned the wild card and went on to win it all against Kansas City.
Romo and Santiago Casilla have shared the closer job in recent years, with Casilla again taking over ninth-inning duties in 2014 after Romo blew three saves in June — a move by manager Bruce Bochy that paid off down the stretch.