Renteria signs two-year deal with Giants

Chris Haft-MLB.com
The Giants culminated their courtship of shortstop Edgar Renteria by signing the 13-year veteran to a two-year, $18.5 million deal Thursday.

The Giants had pursued Renteria and Rafael Furcal, another free-agent shortstop. But Renteria proved to be more economical than Furcal, who reportedly is seeking a four-year contract worth more than $10 million annually. The Giants and Renteria's agents, Jeff Lane and Barry Meister, began exchanging proposals about two weeks ago, as initially reported on MLB.com.

"Jeff and I really felt like this was the right place for him," Meister said.

Renteria's arrival is expected to prompt change throughout the Giants' infield. Emmanuel Burriss, who began the offseason as the heir apparent at shortstop, likely will play second base, where he'll compete with Kevin Frandsen and Eugenio Velez.

Frandsen's also in the mix at third base, although the Giants would like to obtain an offensively proven corner infielder, with Pablo Sandoval manning the other corner. If this happens, Frandsen could be thrust into a utility role. That might in turn quash the Giants' thoughts of re-signing utilityman Rich Aurilia, who has spent 10 of his 13 big league years with the club.

The Giants believe that Renteria, a .290 career hitter, can help upgrade their offense. San Francisco finished 15th in scoring and OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) in the National League while ranking last in the Majors in home runs last season. Also, Giants shortstops ranked last in the NL in batting average (.228) and OPS (.576) and tied for last in home runs (one) and runs (51).

Renteria's 62-point drop in batting average, from .332 with Atlanta in 2007 to .270 for Detroit last season, appears ominous.

"I thought he slowed down a little bit," an American League scout said.

Among longtime Giants fans, this might awaken memories of second baseman Rennie Stennett, who signed a then-lavish five-year, $3 million deal before the 1980 season and proceeded to hit .242 in two seasons before being released.

But indications are that Renteria's no Stennett. Renteria, who also amassed 10 homers and 55 RBIs for Detroit, hit .299 in last season's final two months. Moreover, according to his agents, he has shed more than 10 pounds this offseason to get himself fit.

A five-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner, the 33-year-old Renteria was once considered among the Majors' most multitalented shortstops. He has exceeded .300 four times and enjoyed his best year in 2003, when he batted .330 with 13 home runs, 100 RBIs and 34 stolen bases for St. Louis.

Observers believe that Renteria will benefit from returning to the NL, where he hit .293 with Florida (1996-98), St. Louis (1999-2004) and Atlanta (2006-07). By contrast, he hit .274 with Boston (2005) and Detroit.

Because the Tigers declined to offer Renteria salary arbitration, the Giants will not lose a Draft pick for signing him.