WHAT? Giants sign Aubrey Huff to one-year deal

Posted on January 11, 2010

Aubrey Huff of the Baltimore Orioles bats during the game against the Oakland Athletics at the McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California on May 7, 2008. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

 

Who saw this coming? It is pretty obvious that the Giants new sheriff in town, Bill Neukom, has strict orders for general manager Brian Sabean: No more expensive, BAD multiple-year deals for crappy guys like Edgar Renteria. Thus, Giants fans, I give you your new first baseman for the 2010 season: Aubrey Huff! Is that booing I hear or are you chanting NEUK? This rambling, late-night lead graph has been put together to introduce the Giants latest free-agent signing to you. This evening it was learned that the Giants have agreed to terms with first baseman / DH Aubrey Huff to a one-year deal worth $3 million.

The 33-year-old Huff with the pretty left-handed batting stroke is coming off a 2009 season in which he batted .241 with 15 homers and 85 RBIs in 150 games between the Orioles and Tigers. Huff put together his best year for the Orioles in 2008 when he hit .304 with 32 homers and 108 RBIs. These stellar numbers earned Huff the America League Silver Slugger Award- for the Designated Hitter position! That will not do much good in the National League. Huff will apparently play some first base, since the Giants only have six games in AL parks this coming season that he will be allowed to DH in.

After looking at the Giants 2010 roster late this evening and evaluating the bevy of off-season moves it appears the Gigantes have many movable parts for manager Bruce Bochy to play with when he makes up his lineup card this season. The infield might have Huff at first, Freddy Sanchez at second, Renteria at short and Pablo Sandoval at third. Before this move it was assumed that new Giants Mark DeRosa would play third with Sandoval at first. Now I am guessing DeRosa will play some outfield and then what do they do with Juan Uribe? Like I said- there are many options available to the skipper and spring training will be very interesting as the Giants will NOT have a real set lineup in 2010. They will put together a gutty team that pitches well that is cobbled together for $90 million. Brian Sabean will have to hope his budget-minded club can catch lightning in a bottle with his roster full of short-term free agents and overpaid veterans.

KNBR 680 radio morning show host Brian Murphy had this to say this evening when I broke the news to him via text: “My first instinct is to say I’d rather have Audrey Hepburn… DeRosa and Huff: The Mays-McCovey of the ’10s!” Should make for lively discussion tomorrow morning between 5am and 9am on The Sports Leader. I will have to get up early to listen!