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The San Francisco Giants added two key players to their infield when they signed on Monday first baseman Rich Aurilia with a two-year, $8 million contract and third baseman Pedro Feliz with a one-year, $5.1 million deal with.The Giants also announced that they reach an agreement last Friday with second baseman Ray Durham to re-sign with the club on a two-year, $14.5 million contract. Eventually, the 11-time Gold Glove shortstop Omar Vizquel also signed two-year deal keeping him with San Francisco through the 2007 season.New manager Bruce Bochy congratulates the team for these recent moves explaining that it will enhance tremendously the infield with experienced players. Bochy added that Feliz left the Dominican Republic to undergo a physical by team doctor Ken Akizuki and other medical staff in Central Florida on Monday. As for Aurilia, he already underwent the physical on Saturday. As part of the deal, Aurilia is expected to receive as base salary $3.5 million in 2007, $4.5 million in '08 and bonuses worth $250,000 each for 300, 350, 400, 450 and 500 plate appearances. Even though Aurilia can be a good infielder, Bochy explained on Monday that he will mainly be used at first base.Last season Feliz, 31, batted .244 registering 22 home runs, his career high, when he had a regular position for the first time in his six-plus major league seasons. He also registered a team-leading 98 RBI and appeared in a career-high 160 games. Feliz almost played the whole last season on defense, acknowledging on Monday that he was a little bit tired in the second half. His 15 homers and 62 RBI in 89 games before the All-Star break last season were also the most by a San Francisco third baseman since Matt Williams had 17 homers and 68 RBI in 1996.Since the season ended, Feliz took part in an extensive hitting program in Los Angeles and was currently in his native Dominican Republic. The club signed him in February 2004. But Feliz was not sure if he would re-sign with the Giants since some San Francisco officials was rumored to consider the player too expensive.Aurilia, 35, already played for the Giants for his first nine major league seasons from 1995-2003, even helping San Francisco to the 2002 World Series. Over the past two seasons, he played with the Cincinnati Reds. But he expressed his desire of returning to San Francisco. Last season, Autilia batted .300 with 23 home runs and 70 RBI in 440 at-bats.
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About the writer: Nigel Kerry is an American free lance writer born in Los Angeles, California. Kerry writes among others for Sportus.com - Sportsbook reviews, UsBookies.com - Sports Betting Online and Get-best-mortgage-loan.com - Mortgage lenders, get the best mortgage loan
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