Giants Sign Durham, Roberts, Aurilia

Three multi-year deals to guys who will be 35 or older next year? Okay, as long as it’s not my money.

Ray Durham has re-signed with the San Francisco Giants at 2 years, $14 million. Durham was the best second baseman on the market, and given some of the ridiculous contracts being handed out this winter, his signing is very reasonable. Durham hit .293/.360/.538 in 2006, and although the power he flashed this past season is a bit out of character, his batting average and on base percentage have been holding steady for the past several years. Even if Durham reverts, say, to his 2003-2005 form, he’s a real nice guy to have at the top of the order.

Dave Roberts, who had been with the Padres, signed at 3 years, $18 million. I have more to say about this at Ducksnorts, but the general gist of it is that Roberts is a respectable leadoff hitter, a liability defensively in center field, and not particularly young or durable. I love the way Roberts plays the game — he’s a lot of fun to watch — but this contract has the potential to seriously come back to haunt to the Giants. They also forfeit two draft picks to a division rival. Too much risk, not enough upside here.

Rich Aurilia’s best years came in San Francisco, so why not bring him back for a second tour? His 2001 season was an aberration. After producing very little between 2002 and 2005, I’m inclined to believe that his 2006 season was as well. If Aurilia hits anywhere near the .300/.349/.518 line he posted in Cincy last year, then 2 years, $8 million isn’t too outrageous. If his numbers end up closer to the .266/.320/.406 line he compiled during that 2002-2005 period, then they’ll have a problem. Aurilia is 35 years old; you tell me which scenario is more likely.