The Giants have signed 1B Josh Phelps to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training.
From SFGiants.com:
Adding potential depth Monday, the Giants signed first baseman Josh Phelps to a Minor League contract with an invitation to big league Spring Training.
Phelps, 30, owns a .273 batting average with 64 home runs and 244 RBIs in 465 games spanning eight Major League seasons. He also has caught 12 games in the Majors and diversified himself further by playing outfield this year.
We’ve already detailed this one, but great low-cost signing by the Giants. Phelps could potentially address two needs on the Giants. First, he could see time at 1B depending on how the rest of the offseason shakes out. If the Giants find some legit nibbles on the FA market for Bengie Molina, they could always trade him away, move Pablo back behind the dish, and use Phelps and a combination of Ishikawa or Bowker at 1B. Second, Phelps hits LHP and would play well as a bench bat. This is probably the most realistic scenario right now. Phelps might not have the positional flexibility of Rich Aurilia, but he provides nice insurance for that position — player who hits LHP — in case Aurilia doesn’t resign or the Giants think Phelps can beat any future production from Aurilia. Phelps, for his career, has hit LHP well posting a line of: .297/.364/.495 across 560 PA’s.
If Phelps doesn’t make the team out of Spring Training, look for him to take on a Brett Harper / Scott McClain role for the Fresno Grizzlies.
