The Giants have reportedly brought another veteran into spring training, signing infielder Aaron Hill to a minor-league deal according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
Sources: Aaron Hill to #SFGiants on minor-league deal.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 17, 2017
The deal will pay him $2 million in base salary and $1 million in incentives as reported by Buster Olney of ESPN.
Hill, 34, hit .262/.336/.378 last season between the Brewers and Red Sox and will be competing for a utility infield spot. Hill was an All-Star with the Blue Jays in 2009, but hasn’t had a great season at the plate since he put up a .818 OPS with the Diamondbacks in 2013. At this point in his career, Hill can switch between second and third base, but hasn’t played shortstop since 2006.
Hill is the latest in a long line of utility infielders the Giants have brought into spring training to compete for backup positions behind the four established starters. Hill will be in competition with newcomers, Jae-gyun Hwang, Gordon Beckham, Jimmy Rollins, Juniel Querecuto and Orlando Calixte, along with incumbents Kelby Tomlinson and Conor Gillaspie.
With Gillaspie owning the edge for the backup spot at third base and Tomlinson being in the same situation at second, six players may be fighting for just one or two infield positions on the big league roster.