The San Francisco Giants made their second notable signing of the offseason on Tuesday, inking former Rockies catcher Nick Hundley to a one-year deal worth around $2 million. The signing seemed to indicate that Hundley would usurp incumbent Trevor Brown as the Giants’ backup catcher, something GM Bobby Evans confirmed on KNBR Tuesday evening.
“Really no comparison for us between Nick Hundley, Trevor (Brown) and (Tim) Federowicz,” Evans said. “We clearly see Nick as head and shoulders above them.”
Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper believes that Brown still has a shot to make the Major League team, but told Murph and Mac on Wednesday that he will have to prove he can play multiple positions to make the cut.
“Well look, if you’ve been a starter your last two years in the National League West, it’s not likely you’re going to have to compete,” Kuiper said of Hundley. “Plus if they give you a two million dollar guaranteed contract it’s not likely you’re going to have to compete. The one thing Trevor Brown is going to be competing for is to make the roster as a guy that can do a little bit more than just catch. Remember, he was a guy that played all over the place in the minor leagues: third base, second base, outfield, first base probably, so he’s capable of doing that, but he also needs to catch.”
Despite being a utility player in the minors, Brown has only once played a position other than catcher (third base) with the big league club. Kuiper thinks it’s more than likely that unless Brown can turn heads during Spring Training, he will start the season in Sacramento.
“When you backup Buster Posey you know you’re not gonna catch all that much and it’s not gonna come in consecutive games, unless Posey goes down with an injury,” Kuiper said. “So this isn’t really about Nick Hundley as far as making the roster, it’s more about Trevor Brown having to do some things to make that roster. He may very well start in Triple-A and catch for a month, something that he hasn’t been able to do consistently. But he’s a good solid player and the Giants really like Trevor Brown.”
Listen to the full interview below.