Giants make offer to free agent Crede

02/07/09 9:34 PM EST
Giants make offer to free agent Crede
Third baseman has played entire career with White Sox

By Jim Street / MLB.com

Joe Crede, an All-Star with the Chicago White Sox last season, reportedly is mulling an offer from the San Francisco Giants.

The CBS television affiliate in San Francisco reported on Saturday that Crede had received the offer, but did not go into contract details. Club officials could not be reached for comment, but there was no mention of an offer when general manager Brian Sabean talked to reporters during the Giants' KNBR/Giants FanFest at AT&T Park.

The GM did say the organization has made veteran infielder Rich Aurilia an offer of a Minor League contract.

Crede, selected in the fifth round of the 1996 First-Year Player Draft by the White Sox, has spent his entire career with the South Siders. He helped the White Sox capture the 2005 World Series championship and has battled through back injuries while compiling a .257 career batting average with 125 home runs and 422 RBIs.

His best season was 2006, when he batted .283 with a career-best 30 home runs and 94 RBIs, capturing the Silver Slugger Award for AL third basemen.

The Minnesota Twins also have shown an interest in Crede, according to reports, but it is not known if the AL club has offered a contract.

Crede avoided salary arbitration last year, signing a one-year, $5.15 million contract.

Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.