Giants re-sign Walker, hire coach

Giants re-sign Walker, hire coach
Reliever agrees to one-year deal; Kelly joins staff
By Chris Haft / MLB.com

The Giants made a couple of moves as the weekend began, signing right-hander Tyler Walker to a one-year, $750,000 deal and naming Roberto Kelly their first-base coach.

Technically, the Giants declined their one-year, $1 million option on Walker before signing him. The Giants had every intention of keeping Walker, who went 2-0 with a 1.26 ERA in 15 relief appearances after overcoming July 2006 "Tommy John" elbow reconstruction surgery. Walker, 30, is expected to occupy a setup relief role next season.

Kelly, 43, managed the Giants' low Class A Augusta affiliate to the best record in the Minor Leagues in each of the previous two seasons. The GreenJackets finished 92-47 in 2006 and 89-51 in 2007. Kelly hit .290 with 124 home runs in 14 Major League seasons with eight clubs.