Per Ken Gurnick's tweet, The Dodgers have signed Brian Giles to a minor-league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Giles has a career line of:
.291 / .400 / .502 / .902, 136 OPS+
but is coming off a horrendous 2009 season of:
.191 .277 / .271 / .548, 55.
Like most hitters, Giles, who turned 39 two weeks ago, seems to see his offense suppressed by Petco Park's pitcher-pleasing properties. For the last three seasons:
Petco Park: .253/.359/.353, 6 HR in 707 PA
On Road: .290/.366/.458, 21 HR in 751 PA
According to UZR as defined at fangraphs.com, Giles has been an average corner OF defensively for his career, but his slump extended to defense as well with an UZR/150 of -18.9 in 2009. Admittedly, he was dealing with injuries last year. He is a left-handed hitting outfielder with some power, something that the Dodgers were reportedly looking for. Perhaps he will challenge Doug Man, Mientki, Minky, er, Eye Chart for the left-handed bench bat job. He is the second Brian Giles (no relation, though both played high school ball in San Diego County) to play major league baseball.