Giants bring back veteran Pence on $3M deal

MLB

SAN FRANCISCO — Former fan favorite Hunter Pence is returning to the San Francisco Giants, signing a contract that will give the young club a veteran presence in both the outfield and the clubhouse in a season of big change ahead.

The one-year deal is worth $3 million.

“We’re excited to welcome Hunter back to the organization,” Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said in a statement Friday night. “He provides our club with a great veteran presence and his leadership will be a big asset for our younger players. Hunter’s addition creates depth on our roster and will provide [new manager] Gabe [Kapler] with a valuable option against left-handed pitching.”

Pence will provide some stability as the Giants move into 2020 with Kapler and a coaching staff that is entirely new aside from longtime coach Ron Wotus working at third base.

The 36-year-old Pence was part of the Giants’ 2012 and 2014 World Series championship teams. After a more limited role in 2018 with San Francisco as he worked to retool his hitting mechanics and rediscover his swing, he spent 2019 with the Texas Rangers and resurrected himself. He batted .297 with 18 homers, 17 doubles and 59 RBIs over 83 games.

San Francisco also announced Friday it had signed outfielder Billy Hamilton and right-hander Nick Vincent to minor league contracts with spring training invitations.

The Giants also were working to finalize a deal with versatile infielder Wilmer Flores. Zaidi said it had not been completed as of Thursday.

San Francisco has 28 spring training invites. Players report Tuesday to Scottsdale Stadium in Arizona, with the first workout for pitchers and catchers on Wednesday.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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