The Giants have signed righty reliever Keiichi Yabu to a minor league contact. The 39 year old last pitched with the Oakland A’s in 2005 which was his rookie season. Yabu pitched in 40 games for the A’s in 2005 and he was 4-0 with 1 save, a 4.50 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. The Giants needed help in the bullpen so Yabu will have a decent chance to make the Giants pitching staff in Spring Training.

The Giants have finally decided to give up on Scott Munter because of his wildness as they didn’t tender him a contract for the 2008 season. Munter pitched in 12 games last season for the Giants and he was 1-1 with a 4.22 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP. Munter has now pitched in 84 games in his major league career and he is 3-2 with a 4.75 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP. Someone will take a chance on fixing Munter’s control problems because he is still young and he has decent stuff.

The San Francisco Giants have signed free agent center fielder Aaron Rowand to a 5-year, $60 million dollar contract. Rowand had a career season last year for the Phillies. He played in 161 games last season for the Phillies and he was 189 for 612 (.309 avg, .889 OPS) with 105 runs scored, 27 homers and 89 RBIs. He has now played in 849 games in his major league career and he is 761 for 2,664 (.286 avg, .805 OPS) with 419 runs scored, 93 homers, 347 RBIs and 54 stolen bases. The Giants better hope that Rowand can stay healthy because he plays all-out every play and they gave him a ton of money.