December 8, 200322 yr 12/07/2003 7:40 PM ET Giants sign Snow, Tucker By Rich Draper / MLB.com Michael Tucker hit .262 with 13 homers and 55 RBIs for the Royals before breaking his leg. (Dick Whipple/AP) SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants re-signed free-agent first baseman J.T. Snow to a one-year contract and also signed a two-year deal with veteran outfielder Michael Tucker on Sunday. Snow, 35, is a six-time Gold Glover entering his eighth season with San Francisco. Last season, the 12-year veteran hit .273 with eight homers and 51 RBIs despite being hampered by a series of groin injuries and other physical problems that limited him to 103 games. Tucker, 28, hit .262 for the Kansas City Royals over 104 games last season with 13 homers and 55 RBIs before breaking the tibia in his right leg. Both he and Snow are left-handed batters. Tucker will vie for the starting right fielder spot with veteran Jeffrey Hammonds. "With today's signings, we certainly deepened our 2004 roster and have expanded Felipe's [Alou]flexibility on any given day," said Giants general manager Brian Sabean. "After watching J.T. on a day-to-day basis over the last seven years, you'd be hard pressed to find a better defensive first baseman in the game. He's meant so much to our success during his time with us and we feel that his professionalism and winning attitude will continue to help our club. "We've admired Michael from afar during his career. He's a versatile veteran outfielder who is proficient in playing all three outfield positions, while also being productive with the bat." Tucker is a nine-year Major Leaguer with speed and is solid defensively. The Giants have until 9 p.m. PT to decide whether to offer arbitration to their other free agents -- shortstop Rich Aurilia, reliever Tim Worrell, catcher Benito Santiago, pitcher Sidney Ponson, outfielders Marvin Benard and Jose Cruz Jr., first baseman Andres Galarraga and second baseman Eric Young. Any player not offered arbitration by the deadline cannot negotiate or sign with his old team until May 1, effectively ending his relationship with the team. A player offered arbitration has until Dec. 19 to accept or reject, and if he rejects arbitration, the team and the player can still negotiate until Jan. 8. If he signs with a new team, his former team would receive draft pick compensation. An acceptance of arbitration means the player is considered signed for the 2004 season, and his salary will be determined by an independent arbitrator if the team and player cannot agree on a contract before an arbitration hearing is held. Rich Draper is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
December 8, 200322 yr This may put the Giants over the hump. j/k He may be washed up but he still has a sweet glove.
December 8, 200322 yr Author Snow's defense is too valuable to let go. Of course, Aurilia's gone and he was the heart and sould of the team
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