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.