So, you know that rumor that the Giants wanted to sign Edgar Renteria? It looks like it's going to happen. While he doesn't have a deal just yet, his agent confirmed to the Detroit Free Press on Wednesday that he's making "substantial progress" toward reaching one.
In hindsight, it's too bad the Tigers didn't take the rumor mill a bit more seriously -- had they offered Renteria arbitration, they could have received a pair of draft picks as compensation the moment he signs in San Francisco. But despite not having an obvious starting shortstop on the roster (no offense, Ramon Santiago, it's just that you're not very good), the Tigers were so scared by Renteria's decline last year that they decided it wasn't worth the risk that he'd opt to return.
So are the Giants about to sign a lemon? Not necessarily. It could be that Renteria is simply more comfortable in the National League -- after hitting .276 (89 OPS+) in his lone season with the Red Sox in 2005, he bounced back to hit .293 (104 OPS+) and .332 (125 OPS+) the next two seasons with the Braves. Plus, he's always killed the Giants at AT&T Field, hitting .344 (139 OPS+) over 104 career at-bats.
I still think the Tigers should have offered Renteria arbitration, but just because he's likely primed for a comeback season doesn't mean it would have happened had he stayed in Detroit.
Edgar Renteria Close to Signing With Giants originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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