Rich Aurilia rejected minor-league offers from the Cubs, Phillies and Blue Jays to accept one from the Giants, he said Monday just before the team formally announced the deal. Aurilia will earn $1 million if he makes the team.
Aurilia also revealed he turned down a major-league offer from Houston early in the offseason but has no regrets because he really wanted to return to San Francisco. "I'm a Giant," he said. "I'm proud to have 'San Francisco' across my chest. I want to retire a Giant, whether it's this year or the year after. I heard a little about managing general partner Bill Neukom talking about the Giants' Way. Well, I'm the last Giant who was part of the teams that won all those years. I know something about the Giants' Way."
Aurilia had a .283 average in 407 at-bats last season, and the 37-year-old understands he might not get nearly as much playing time in 2009. He is expected to be a right-handed hitter off the bench and a platoon first baseman with either Travis Ishikawa or John Bowker.
The Giants have shown interest in third baseman Joe Crede but do not expect a deal.
Play FOX Fantasy Baseball today
