Ryan Theriot has agreed to a one-year, $1.25 million deal with the Giants that includes $750,000 in potential incentives, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
Theriot has been a starter for most of the past five seasons, but his performance ceased warranting regular playing time several years ago.
He hit just .271 with a .321 on-base percentage and .342 slugging percentage in 132 games last season--which was actually better than his 2010 production--and at age 32 is a sub par defender at shortstop.
Of course, Heyman called Theriot “a good veteran shortstop option” because ... well, that’s what he does.
Theriot figures to compete with 25-year-old Brandon Crawford for the starting job in spring training and Crawford is a weak enough hitter that Theriot might actually have a chance to win the gig. And if not he’ll settle for a utility man role. If nothing else Giants fans should be used to this after they signed Miguel Tejada to be their starting shortstop last winter.