Hot Stove Update: Giants Sign Two Minor League Deals

The Giants signed two minor league deals with players who would have made headlines had they acquired them a few years ago.  Josh Rutledge was once a 3'rd round draft pick in 2010 for the Rockies and had a nice MLB debut in 2012 in which he OPS'd .775  but it's been all downhill from there.  He's bounced between Boston and Pawtucket the last 3 seasons and has a career BA of .258.  He's mainly played 2B in the majors but has also played 3B and SS.

Alen Hanson was once a BA top 100 prospect with the Pirates organization and some analysts thought he was the Bucs SS of the future.  Like Rutledge, he never found traction in the majors.  Last season he was picked off waivers by the White Sox who did not tender him a contract this offseason. He is a speedster who stole as many as 36 bases in AAA in 2016.  He's played 3 IF positions and all 3 OF positions in his career.  Hanson was recently profiled in a Fangraphs piece on Post Hype Prospects.  He's still just 25 years old even though it seems like he has been around forever.

There really is not much indication that either Rutledge or Hanson can be more than serviceable reserves.  Personally, I think Kelby is a better player right now.  On the other hand, they were both once highly ranked prospects who still have time to break out.  If the Giants want to find the next Chris Taylor or Justin Turner, they are going to have to give a few guys like this a chance.

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The D'Backs signed 34 yo Japanese RP Yoshihisa Hirano to a 2 year/$6 M contract.  Don't know much about him but he's had good numbers as a closer in Japan.  With the price of relievers in this market, the D'Backs may have found themselves a bargain.