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David Baas lasted three season with the Giants.

(Tim Farrell/The Star-Ledger)

The Giants' headline free-agent signing from 2011 will be gone three years later.

They are cutting David Baas, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the team's thinking. The veteran was set to count $8.225 million season against the salary cap in 2014. The Giants will save $1.775 million against the cap by releasing their starting center.

Baas, 32, missed most of last year with knee and hip injuries. He appeared in 30 games in three seasons for the Giants, helping them win the Super Bowl in his first year with the team.

As recently as last week, the Giants appeared uncertain on Baas' status. It is possible they wanted to survey the free-agent marketplace before making a final decision.

The Giants have been connected to centers Brian De La Puente and Evan Dietrich-Smith.

Baas still will count $6.45 million against the salary cap this season. The Giants, however, decided to take the cap hit this season rather than defer it to next year. Baas will be off the books after the 2014 season. He was signed through 2015 and is owed $10.25 million in real money for the next two years.

After surrendering 39 sacks of Eli Manning and suffering with one of the least productive running games in the NFL, the Giants have made it clear: They're rebuilding their offense -- called "broken" by co-owner John Mara -- by deconstructing and reconstructing the offensive line. With guard Chris Snee's status still unknown because of a neck injury, the Giants don't have a starter for the interior of the offensive line as they head into free agency. They have been scouring the market over the past few days.

Baas never lived up to the billing after signing when the lockout ended in 2011. He struggled much of his first season, but did play one of his best games in the Super Bowl XLVI victory over the New England Patriots.

Baas joined the Giants after six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. The contract was a bit curious, considering he was handed a five-year, $27.5-million deal after just playing one year at center. Baas started his career as a guard.

Even when Baas was on the field, he wasn’t the dominant, push-at-the-point-of-attack player the Giants hoped they were acquiring.

Baas finished ranked 22nd out of 36 centers by Pro Football Focus in 16 games during the 2012 season. He was never at full strength in his three games last year.