Matt Moore's Contract Option Picked Up by Giants: Latest Details and Reaction

In a move that was a mere formality, the San Francisco Giants exercised the $7 million option on left-handed pitcher Matt Moore's contract for 2017. 

Today's Knuckleball's Jon Heyman and MLB.com's Chris Haft reported the Giants' decision to exercise Moore's option. 

There was never any doubt the Giants would bring Moore back next season. They acquired him from the Tampa Bay Rays at the trade deadline in August in exchange for third baseman Matt Duffy and two prospects. 

After the Giants acquired him, Moore expressed his excitement to be joining a team that was in playoff contention.

"Obviously (Tampa Bay is) where I was raised," Moore said, per Evan Webeck of MLB.com. "But I've been watching what's going on over here [with the Giants] for quite a while. I feel very grateful to be a part of it."

Moore did not display enough consistency with his command during the 2016 season, walking 72 hitters and posting a 4.08 ERA, to play up to his full potential. This was his first full year back after Tommy John surgery in 2014. 

The fact Moore set career highs in starts (33), innings pitched (198.1) and strikeouts (178) is a positive sign for him to be even better as he prepares for his first full season with the Giants in 2017. Per FanGraphs, he also averaged a career-best 92.8 mph with his fastball last season, indicating his arm strength is all the way back. 

In his biggest start of the year against the Chicago Cubs in Game 4 of the National League Division Series, Moore struck out 10 and allowed two runs (one earned) in eight innings. 

Moore's contract makes him a bargain on the starting-pitching market. He is only 27 years old and continues to flash signs of the potential that made him an elite prospect in the minors. The Giants have every reason to believe that pitcher will show up for them in 2017.