San Francisco Giants sign Mark DeRosa

[Auggie]

12-29-09, San Francisco Chronicle

The Giants have made their first significant offseason acquisition, a hitter who could replace the 20 homers they lost with Bengie Molina and give manager Bruce Bochy some lineup versatility.

Giants spokesman said Monday the team has reached a contract agreement with free-agent infielder Mark DeRosa, a 34-year-old who has spent most of his 10-year career with the Braves, hit 23 homers with 78 RBIs combined for Cleveland and St. Louis last season and has a career on-base percentage of .343, which would have ranked second among Giants regulars in 2009.

Multiple reports peg the contract at two years, $12 million. DeRosa passed a team physical in San Francisco on Monday, no formality given offseason surgery to repair a wrist he hurt shortly after he was traded from Cleveland to St. Louis in July.

<snip>

DeRosa is an infielder who could become the Giants' primary third baseman in 2010, which would shift Pablo Sandoval to first base. DeRosa can play anywhere on the infield and in left field. DeRosa is not considered an offensive difference-maker. Few such players are available, and they come at a cost the team might not be willing to pay. In the case of outfielder Jason Bay, one of the top prizes on the market, he reportedly does not want to play in San Francisco.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/28/SP7K1BAKE6.DTL

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Well, I'll, uh... :boring:

No... seriously... DeRosa is a...:boring:

[Upton]

1. I'm not sure what to think about this

DeRosa claims the reason he hit only .228 with the Cards in the second half last year was because of a wrist injury. And he may have hit 23 HRs overall last year, but, for a right handed hitter, Cleveland and St. Louis are both HR paradises compared to AT&T Park.

I hope DeRosa isn't a somewhat cheaper version of Renteria...maybe I should do like the article and focus on his versatility in the field.

[Auggie]

2. Versatility -- I'm sure that's what Sabean is thinking

They must really want Panda at first base. That puts Sanchez at second and Uribe (when they sign him) at SS.

It's of paramount importance they get someone to protect Sandoval in the lineup. Time is wasting...