Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Rangers Sign Hunter Pence To Minor League Deal

By | at

3:04pm: MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweets that Pence’s deal has a $2MM base salary and another $1.25MM worth of incentives available to him

2:44pm: The Rangers announced Thursday that they’ve signed outfielder Hunter Pence to a minor league contract and invited him to Major League Spring Training. It’s a homecoming of sorts for Pence, a native of Fort Worth who attended high school in Arlington. The team also confirmed its previously reported signing of corner infielder/pitcher Matt Davidson.

Pence, 36 in April, was long one of the game’s more productive right fielders but has seen his production at the plate wane over the past two seasons. Dating back to the 2017 season, he’s mustered just a .249/.297/.368 slash with 17 homers, 24 doubles and six triples in 792 plate appearances with the Giants. He’ll look to rediscover some semblance of his peak form — .282/.341/.463 from 2011-16 — in his new deal with Texas. The veteran has been open about the work he’s been doing to make alterations to his swing in an effort to bounce back at the plate.

The Rangers currently have Joey Gallo, Delino DeShields Jr. and Nomar Mazara lined up around the outfield, with Shin-Soo Choo slotted in at designated hitter and prospect Willie Calhoun looming as an option in left field and at DH. Pence, though, could plausibly compete for a bench job given the uncertainty beyond the Rangers’ starting lineup. At the moment, one of Jeff Mathis or Isiah Kiner-Falefa (whichever isn’t catching that day) is the only real lock for a bench spot with the Rangers. Calhoun, infielder Patrick Wisdom and center fielder Carlos Tocci all figure to compete for a reserve gig as well, though all have minor league options remaining.

newest oldest

Comments

    • Only a crazy person could hate Hunter Pence. He’s an amazing human.

      4

    • Amazing news for Giants fans too. We love the guy and super happy he got a job…probably just as happy it won’t be with the Giants. Good luck to him in finding his swing again, awesome guy.

      3

      • I mean if there was any team Hunter Pence could realistically get a starting gig it would be the Giants.

        7

      • Why are you happy he won’t be with the Giants? Have you seen the roster? SF OF situation is abysmal! They should’ve signed him to a minor league deal like the Rangers. Low risk, maybe dude can turn back the clock.

        4

        • Abysmal. It’s to soon to say that. If Williamson could hit like he did before his concussion, I wouldn’t call that abysmal. Duggan’s defense in CF was stellar. He needs to cut down on his strikeouts, or show more power. Slater is serviceable.

          1

        • I have no clue who Williamson and Duggan are. That says a lot about the Giants outfield situation.

          4

        • It says you know nothing about the Giants. If you paid any attention to the Giants, you would know who they are.

          1

        • cause if you dont know who they ar….. to quote Durant, “who are you?”

        • Not knowing who two players are doesnt discredit them as players it discredits your baseball knowledge.

          1

        • C1234, that says more about your knowledge of baseball (or lack thereof) than anything about the Giants.

          1

        • @C1234 LOL
          Yeah, it’s looking bad right now. The guy’s name is Duggar to be correct, but I have no doubt that you still haven’t heard of him. I am holding onto a belief and desperate hope that the front office has a better plan for the outfield than what we’ve seen so far. Today has to be the day that the G’s announce that they’ve come to terms with Harper – sign him up!

          1

        • And I hope they do sign Harper so the Giants somewhat become relevant again.

    • how does someone downvote this, does someone actually want hunter to have bad luck?

      • How does someone care about up or downvotes. They are possibly the most meaningless thing out there.

        Good luck Hunter.

        1

  4. I think Jon Daniels needs to update his scouting & players books. Seems like they are several years old.

    2

    • Eh, it’s a minor league deal. Pence is a crazy workaholic and has been working to revamp his swing. Maybe there’s something left in the tank? Even if he’s a bust, he’s a terrific veteran presence.

      7

      • One of the ugliest swings in baseball. Toddfather close behind. Will he revamp his ugly throwing too?

        2

        • he has a back condition where some of his vertebrae are fused. you can’t just change that

          5

        • I thought it was a problem with his arms…

          Still the only player to hit a ball three times with one swing (in the playoffs for an rbi if I remember correctly)!

          1

    • Truth be told, he’s probably done. But he was such a positive presence in SF, long after his skills began to decline. Glad to see him try to keep surfing the wave. Hope he’ll remain in the game long after his playing days are over.

      8

      • yeah at least he will have an opportunity to to be on the major league roster, but if not at least some of the younger guys in the farm system will have a veteran presence in the club house

        2

      • Does he? It’s typically an autistic (Asperger) thing, I did that as well,

        The next time you see someone wearing socks with saddles, that could be the reason. Bottom line, you might be making fun of someone with a disability.

        • Or the next time you see someone wearing socks with sandals they could be European. There could be a million reasons but to pick one obscure reason to make people feel bad when they are obviously just having is a bit offside.

          1

  11. Tocci will be in Double A and probably never make it back to the bigs.

  14. Always liked Hunter Pence. Shame he didn’t stick around in Philly too long. I wish him the best of luck in TX and hope he lands on the roster.

  15. I hope he’s giving it one last shot and then transitions into a coach/front office guy. Great work ethic.

  17. It’s hard to not like Hunter Pence. Always one of my favorite players.

    • Ditto. He’ll be a great May/June callup, just for entertainment/ “good feeling” purposes; I don’t imagine the Rangers will be competitive this year. Who knows? With a reworked swing and his work ethic, he might even build up some July 31 value.

  18. Glad to see he got picked up for one final hurrah, and glad it’s in the AL and not with the Giants. When he’s done I could see him going into broadcasting. He’s got a unique flair and look that sets him apart from the average guys on TV.

    1

    • would love to see him as a broadcaster in sf, kruk should probably retire and dave has been doing more and more national broadcasts

      1

      • I’ve always thought Pence would possibly make a good successor to Krukow too. But I love Krukow’s uniqueness and hope he’ll hang around as long as he wants to.

        1

        • i would love for krukow to be around longer too but he had that degenerative desease in his legs and it has been tougher and tougher for him to get around

      • Dave’s a legit announcer! I’ve wondered when he would leave us Giants faithful, paired with Jon Miller they are very entertaining. Not soon we extended him 4 years within this last 30 days. Long live flem!

        • He’s all right… He’s bright, but kind of a square and not much personality or charm. Pence would bring that goofy and upbeat charm that Krukow does.

        • yeah but dave was really “on assignment” a lot over the last couple of years broadcasting for ncaa and espn.

  20. Pence helped the Giants win their 2nd and 3rd World Championships. Nothing left in the tank.

  21. the rangers beat the giants to supplying hunter pence social security checks.

  22. Welcome Home Hunter. Glad to have you back. The Rangers really need this pick up. I’ve kept up with him since his collage days. Hope everything works out great for him and he can get to play a lot this season. Great pick up by the Rangers

    1

  26. Thanks for the rings and giving it every once of hustle every time. That dude is a ballplayer. That being said, I’m beyond happy the Giants won’t be the one giving him the contract, as Bochy would have him on the 25 man by the 2nd week in April.

    2

  27. This guys wife whos name noone can spell, travels the world playing video game tournaments. That sounds funner than minor league base Ball.

  28. Nice to see how he positivity around a player who has brought joy to so many!

  31. Fun and productive player in seasons past. I believe that seeing him as a bench contributor is shortsighted. With reduced rosters bench pieces best be able to play multiple positions

  32. I guess this means no Bryce Harper for my Rangers now, oh we’ll considering we’re still paying Alex Rodriguez due money from 20 years ago Good luck to the team stuck with a 10 year contract in the future, Everthing is leading up to 2020 and the new Stadium, Texas has signed 15 players so far this year and all are one year deals with the exception of the 3 year contract to Lance Lynn.

  33. LOVE YOU HUNTER. You will always be a Giant. You know this

    …Hunter was here

  35. Like watching Pence play. Hope he can make the Rangers team, maybe face lefties to spell Gallo or Choo.

    1

  36. Really great to see so many people wishing Pence well. It goes to show what a classy guy he is and how many people appreciate that about him.

    Good on ya Pency! I hope you kick butt in TX!!! #forevergiant

    3

  38. LIked him in Houston and was super stoked when he came to the Phillies. He coined the phrase “let’s go eat” during his tenure. Philly shipped him out when the fat lady began to sing, was upset, but knew he was going to a winner. Kudos good-sir!

  39. Wish Pence the best. Hopefully he found something in that new swing of his and makes the team. He could be a good 4th/5th outfielder and great dugout presence.

    1

  41. My favorite Hunter Pence story was, I think, when he was in his first year with the Astros. He was playing catch before a game to warm up, and the guy he was tossing to had the ball slip out of his hand making for a bad throw back to Pence. This was just warm up, but Pence actually dove for the ball trying to make the catch.

    2

  42. Yes! Get go Pence!! Tha Reverend. You’ll be a Giant no matter what you do in life.

  43. Surprised to see him go to the Rangers with all those other weak OF’s out there.

    Good for him though he’s always been fun to watch and hopefully he can find some success in that hitter friendly park

  44. I think this is a minor mistake by the Rangers. More of a marketing ploy. Pence can not field anymore. Better to give a rookie an opportunity or use the money elsewhere. This move is really grasping.

    • Don’t worry, if he sucks, that’s what Spring Training is for – a look, and something more only if he warrants it.

  45. I love Hunter Pence. Kind of lost track of him last year and in the offseason. If he does great for the Rangers in ST, then hope he gets a gig in the majors. It’s a safe deal for the Rangers with little risk since they can part ways if it doesn’t work out.

  46. Hunter will always have a place as a GIANT in San Francisco !!

    1

  48. Recommended reading:

    Fear and Loathing in San Francisco

    by: Hunter S. Pence

  49. I remember seeing Hunter’s last game in Round Rock right before catching his first game in Houston. He was one of my favorite players and I hated seeing him leave Houston. It would be great to see him in a Rangers uniform. I hope he makes it.

  50. well hopefully now that he isn’t in sf he can sell his condo in the millennium tower before it falls down

  51. making 18 mil and keeping the D/L warm to now making the vet min.,,KHARMA!!

Leave a Reply

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top