A day after reports linked the Giants to the versatile, veteran free agent, the club signed former Blue Jays and Padres infielder Yangervis Solarte on Friday, as first reported by Robert Murray of The Athletic.
The deal is worth $1.75 million plus $250K of incentives assuming Solarte is on the big-league club to start the season. The deal is assumed to be for one year and of the minor-league variety.
#SFGiants in agreement with free-agent infielder Yangervis Solarte, pending physical, sources tell The Athletic.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 15, 2019
Solarte gets 1.75M plus 250K incentives on #SFGiants deal assuming he’s in majors @ByRobertMurray 1st with agreement
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 15, 2019
Solarte, 31, played in 122 games in his first and only season with the Blue Jays in 2018. A true utility infielder, Solarte played in 80 games at 3B, 28 at 2B, six at SS, and two at 1B. He posted a slash line of .226/.277/.378 with 17 home runs, which fell below his career average of .259/.317/.410. On November 30, Solarte was non-tendered by the Blue Jays and became a free agent.
The Giants now enter spring with three backup veteran infielders in Solarte, Alen Hanson, and Pablo Sandoval on their 40-man roster. Abiatal Avelino, Ryder Jones, and Breyvic Valera will also compete for jobs but are considered long shots to make the opening day roster.