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Dodgers Sign Brian Giles
The Dodgers signed outfielder Brian Giles to a minor league deal, reports MLB.com's Ken Gurnick. In a pair of tweets, ESPN's Buster Olney reports that Giles would get a $550K base salary with another $200K in performance bonuses. If the Dodgers aren't going to keep him on the roster at the end of Spring Training, he can ask for his release. Giles will compete for a fifth outfielder or pinch-hitter role.
Giles, 39, hit .191/.277/.271 in 253 plate appearances for the Padres last year, struggling defensively as well. His season ended in June with a knee injury. Giles had a strong season in 2008 - his .398 OBP ranked sixth in the league. Former Padres GM Kevin Towers picked up his $9MM option for '09, despite the outfielder's off-the-field concerns.
Interesting note from Gurnick - "Giles nearly was general manager Ned Colletti's first acquisition after he took over the Dodgers in the winter of 2005, but the San Diego native re-signed with the Padres and Colletti turned to shortstop Rafael Furcal." This time around Giles reportedly drew interest from eight to ten teams, including the Yankees and Reds.
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