Giants insider justifies ranking Matt Chapman as best third baseman over Jose Ramirez, Nolan Arenado, Manny Machado

The San Francisco Giants had another underwhelming season in 2024, finishing below the .500 for a second consecutive season and outside the playoff spot for a third year running.

All-Star third baseman Matt Chapman, who signed for the team before the 2024 season, was one of the only bright spots in a disastrous season. Giants insider Susan Slusser acknowledged Chapman's season in a conversation with MLB Network's Brian Kenny.

In MLB Network's latest edition of "Top 10 Third Basemen Right Now," when host Brian Kenny asked Slusser about her individual list of top 10 Third basemen, the Giants insider ranked Chapman the best in the position. She placed Chapman over high-profile names like Jose Ramirez, Nolan Arenado and Manny Machado.

She justified her selection by saying:

"I live in an area in which we have had so many great third basemen. Matt Williams for the Giants. Obviously, Eric Chavez and six Gold Gloves. In Oakland, Josh Donaldson turned himself into a great third baseman. Matt Chapman is the best I've seen.

"We take pride in the Bay Area in our third baseman and he was by far the Giants' best player and Buster Posey is sold. He's the one who really tried to slam home the extension for Chapman last year, and he is by far the team leader among the position players at this point."

Matt Chapman signed a one-year deal with the Giants to end his prolonged free agency in March 2024. However, his impressive performances for the team earned him a lucrative six-year, $151 million contract extension in September.

Giants insider makes case for Jose Ramirez after picking Matt Chapman over him

While Susan Slusser put Matt Chapman as her No.1 third baseman, she had high praise for Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez, who was second on her list. She conceded that Ramirez might be the best in the AL, while Chapman in the NL.

"I think Jose Ramirez might be my favorite player to watch. So I mean, it's hard to set. Like I almost want to go NL/AL on this one as much as possible. I think this is a guy who's gonna win an MVP."

MLB Network's The Shredder ranked Jose Ramirez as the best third baseman right now, followed by Rafael Devers in second, Alex Bregman in third, and Manny Machado in fourth, while Matt Chapman was placed sixth.