Giants ink INF slugger Vosler to Majors deal

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants completed their first signing of the offseason on Tuesday, announcing that they’ve agreed to terms on a Major League contract with infielder Jason Vosler.

Vosler, 27, last played for the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate in El Paso in 2019, when he set career highs in batting average (.291), on-base percentage (.367), slugging percentage (.523) and OPS (.890). A 16th-round Draft pick of the Cubs in '14, Vosler primarily plays third base, though he also has experience playing first, second and shortstop.

Vosler didn’t play in 2020 and has yet to make his Major League debut, though he now appears in line for a role with the Giants, who had sought a left-handed-hitting infielder who could serve as a potential platoon option for third baseman Evan Longoria and second baseman Donovan Solano.

Longoria fared better against lefties (.859 OPS) than righties (.671 OPS) this season, and the Giants had a hard time getting the 35-year-old veteran off his feet due to their lack of reliable backup options at third base. Vosler, who posted a .934 OPS against righties in 2019, could be a nice complement to Longoria and also add some left-handed power off the bench, as Vosler hit at least 20 home runs in three consecutive seasons in the Minors.

Terms of Vosler’s contract were not immediately disclosed. The Giants now have 38 players on their 40-man roster.