SAN FRANCISCO -- Edgar Renteria is back in the National League, where he thinks he best belongs.
| Advertisement |
|||
| |||
Renteria became the second free agent to join the San Francisco Giants in two days, receiving an $18.5 million, two-year contract Thursday to replace 11-time Gold Glove shortstop Omar Vizquel.
A five-time NL All-Star, Renteria has spent 11 of his 13 major league seasons in the National League. He won a World Series ring with the 1997 Florida Marlins and a pennant in 2004 with St. Louis, but struggled during a pair of one-season stints in the AL, with Boston in 2005 and Detroit this year.
"I played good in the National League. I feel real comfortable," Renteria said on a conference call. "Maybe I know more of the game in the National League. It's my type of league. I like to play the game. The American League is different -- you have to go for the home run and wait for hitting. That's no excuse for what happened in the American League, but it might be why I'm so excited to get back to the National League."
Renteria receives a $2 million signing bonus, $7 million next year and $9 million in 2010. The Giants have a $9.5 million option for 2011 with a $500,000 buyout.
Giants general manager Brian Sabean has had a busy week, signing right-handed reliever Bobby Howry to a one-year contract Wednesday and following that up by securing Renteria. The sides had all but finalized a deal during a meeting Wednesday.
Renteria, a career .290 hitter, was back in Miami on Thursday after a quick visit to San Francisco.
"We really appreciate his interest and look forward to a relationship that's going to be fruitful on both sides. I don't think Edgar needs any introduction," Sabean said. "We're just thrilled to put him in our No. 2 spot in the lineup and at shortstop and move on to other business."
The Tigers declined to offer Renteria salary arbitration Monday. While he was being pursued by three or four teams, Renteria said the Giants' strong interest meant a lot to him in making the decision.
"I want to go where the people want me to go. I don't go where they don't want me," he said. "The Giants were interested in signing me. That's a great city to play baseball."
Renteria will be looking to have a better year in 2009. He batted .270 with 10 homers and 55 RBI this season for the Tigers, who afterward declined their $11 million option and gave him a $3 million buyout.
Sabean isn't concerned about Renteria, especially considering he had a better second half.
"We have no reservations of him being a shortstop and what he's going to do for our offense," the GM said. "It's an upgrade."
Terry Tate 
