Giants Sign Brad Hennessey to One-Year, $1.6 Million Deal

In anticipation of pitchers reporting to Arizona for spring training here in a few weeks, the San Francisco Giants are trying to take care of the three pitchers they still have in the salary arbitration process. 

Today they inked potential closer Brad Hennessey to a one year, $1.6 million contract.  He will compete with Brian Wilson for the full-time closer role next season.  The competition should get pretty heated as the two are so evenly matched.  Hennessey has a little more experience, and Wilson, though younger, does possess slightly better skills. 

Hennessey spent the majority of last season as the closer for the Giants, executing 19 of 24 save opportunities for them.  Wilson finished the last two weeks of the season as the regular closer and did a great job.  I can’t wait to see them in spring ball when I go down for my annual trip to Giants Spring Training in Scottsdale.

Yesterday, Vinnie Chulk and Kevin Correia each negotiated salaries with the Giants.  Vinnie Chulk is asking for $975,000 while the team has offered $725,000.  Chulk went 5-4 with a 3.57 ERA in 57 appearances before being placed on the disabled list on August 24th.  He will compete for the set-up role next season and will definitely come out of the bullpen.

Kevin Correia has asked for $1.3 million while the team has offered $850,000 for next season.  Correia was 4-7 with a 3.45 ERA in 59 appearances in 2007, including a 3-1 mark and 2.54 ERA in eight starts.  He will be competing for the 5th starting pitcher spot in spring training.

Stay tuned as the best guess is that Chulk and Correia will be signed in the coming days.