The Giants are crossing an ocean in their search for additional depth at third base.
The club has agreed to terms with Korean infielder Jae-gyun Hwang on a minor league contract that includes an invitation to major league spring training. Hwang would earn $1.5 million if he makes the big league roster; the contract includes additional incentives based on games played, and also has several opt-out dates if Hwang is in the minor leagues.
The contract wasn’t official and the team hasn’t yet announced it, likely because it is pending a physical.
The Giants already have Eduardo Núñez under contract to play third base with Conor Gillaspie expected to see time at the position as well. But if the club likes what it sees from Hwang, his presence could push Núñez into the super-utility role that he previously held with the Minnesota Twins.
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Hwang, 29, is coming off the best season of his career for Lotte Giants in Korea. The right-handed hitter posted a .335/.394/.570 slash line with a career high 27 home runs and 25 stolen bases – the fifth consecutive year in which he swiped at least 20.
He made his intention to play in the U.S. known to Lotte, rejecting “a sizable offer” from the club, according to Yonhap News Agency. The Giants were among the clubs who attended Hwang’s showcase in Florida earlier this offseason, and were said to be impressed with his contact skills.
That’s been a point of emphasis for Hwang, who reduced his strikeouts from 122 in 2015 to 66 last season.
The Giants aren’t done adding to their roster depth in the three weeks before spring camp opens; they are believed to be wrapping up their search for a backup catcher, since they only have Buster Posey and Trevor Brown on the 40-man roster.
Signing an established backup such as Nick Hundley would allow the Giants to create a better depth situation, either by carrying three catchers or, more likely, using Brown’s minor league options. Starting Brown at Triple-A would allow him to gain more catching experience, and he could join the Giants roster whenever the need arises.
