The Giants have signed 30-year old righty starter/reliever Boof Bonser to a minor league deal. Bonser only pitched in 1 game (1 start) in AAA-ball for the Mets last year and he was 0-0 with a 2.45 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2010 with the A’s & Red Sox. Bonser has pitched in 111 games (60 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 19-25 with a 5.18 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. Bonser will likely start the 2012 season in AAA.

The Giants have signed 27-year old righty swinging infielder Joaquin Arias to a minor league deal. Arias played in 69 games in AAA-ball for the Royals last year and he was 56 of 241 (.232 avg, .625 OPS) with 37 runs scored, 3 homers, 25 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. He last played in the majors back in 2010 with the Rangers & Mets. Arias has now played in 113 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 71 for 257 (.276 avg, .676 OPS) with 42 runs scored, 0 homers, 23 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Arias will be a longshot to make the Giants roster out of spring training, but don’t be surprised if he is with the big league club at some point in 2012.

The Giants have signed 28-year old righty reliever/starter Eric Hacker to a minor league deal. Hacker pitched in 2 games (0 starts) for the Twins last year and he was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He also pitched in 26 games (25 starts) in AAA-ball for the Twins last year and he was 7-14 with a 6.10 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. Hacker has now pitched in 5 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 0-0 with a 2.16 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP. Hacker will likely start the 2012 season in AAA.

The Giants have signed 30-year old lefty reliever/starter Brian Burres to a minor league deal. Burres pitched in 5 games (2 starts) for the Pirates last year and he was 1-0 with 3.86 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. Burres has pitched in 106 games (56 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 18-25 with a 5.75 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. Burres will be a longshot to make the Giants’ pitching staff when the 2012 season starts, but you never know, if he has a big spring that might change some minds in the front office.

The Giants have re-signed 38-year old righty reliever Guillermo Mota to a 1-year, $1 million dollar deal. Mota pitched in 52 games (0 starts) for the Giants last year and he was 2-2 with 1 save, a 3.81 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He has now pitched in 108 games (0 starts) in his first two years with the Giants and he is 3-5 with 2 saves, a 4.02 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Mota has now pitched in 717 games (0 starts) in his first 13 years in the major leagues and he is 39-44 with 10 saves, a 3.91 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. This was a good move for the Giants.

The Giants have decided not to tender a contract to 32-year old righty swinging catcher Eli Whiteside for the 2012 season. Whiteside played in 82 games for the Giants last year and he was 42 for 213 (.197 avg, .574 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 4 homers, 17 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He played in 187 games in his three years with the Giants and he was 101 of 466 (.217 avg, .616 OPS) with 48 runs scored, 10 homers, 40 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. The Giants shouldn’t have too hard of a time finding a replacement for Whiteside.

UPDATE: (12/16/2011) - The Giants have re-signed Eli Whiteside to a minor league deal.

The Giants have decided to not to tender a contract for 2012 to 31-year old righty swinging infielder Jeff Keppinger. Keppinger played in 56 games for the Giants last year and he was 55 for 216 (.255 avg, .618 OPS) with 17 runs scored, 2 homers and 15 RBIs. He played in 99 games overall for the Astros & Giants last year and he was 105 for 379 (.277 avg, .677 OPS) with 39 runs scored, 6 homers and 35 RBIs. Having Keppinger on the bench was a luxury the Giants didn’t think they could afford in 2012. He will have no problem finding a new job.

The Giants have acquired 30-year old switch-hitting outfielder Angel Pagan from the Mets for 30-year old righty reliever Ramon Ramirez and 33-year old switch-hitting outfielder Andres Torres. Pagan played in 123 games for the Mets last year and he was 125 of 478 (.262 avg, .694 OPS) with 68 runs scored, 7 homers, 56 RBIs and 32 stolen bases. He has now played in 541 games in his first six years in the majors and he is 504 of 1,809 (.279 avg, .750 OPS) with 263 runs scored, 33 homers, 209 RBIs and 95 stolen bases. The Giants are hoping that Pagan’s speed will help inject some life into the offense. Ramon Ramirez pitched in 66 games (0 starts) for the Giants last year and he was 3-3 with 4 saves, a 2.62 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He pitched in 91 games (0 starts) in his two years with the Giants and he was 4-3 with 5 saves, a 2.07 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. The Giants are going to miss Ramirez, as he is a very solid reliever. Andres Torres played in 112 games for the Giants last year and he was 77 for 348 (.221 avg, .643 OPS) with 50 runs scored, 4 homers, 19 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. He played in 326 games in his three years with the Giants and he was 254 for 1,007 (.252 avg, .768 OPS) with 164 runs scored, 26 homers, 105 RBIs and 51 stolen bases. Angel Pagan is a huge upgrade on Andres Torres. I like this deal for the Giants as they needed more offense and Pagan will help them in that area.