The Giants have acquired first baseman Ryan Garko from the Indians, in exchange for minor league pitcher Scott Barnes.FanHouse originally reported the deal Monday night.
Garko, 27, hit .285 with 11 homers and 39 RBI in 239 at-bats for Cleveland.
San Francisco has been seeking a bat for months to help a weak offense support a strong pitching staff. With 391 runs scored, the Giants are next-to-last in the National League. And they have gotten a .320 on-base percentage out of first base, which is worse than every team in the league but the Diamondbacks.
"You've seen what our struggles have been, including on the road," general manager Brian Sabean said. "There's a lot to be said for experience, and being there. These games are only going to get harder. He can only help."
Sabean said the Giants were particularly interested in Garko because of his career numbers against left-handed pitchers. He has a .318 average and a .906 OPS in his career against lefties.
Garko will be eligible for arbitration after this season. He won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2012 season, at the earliest.
San Francisco (two games behind Colorado in the NL wild-card race) sent left-hander Scott Barnes to Cleveland. Barnes, 21 and an eighth-round pick last year out of St. John's, went 12-3 with a 2.85 ERA for Single-A San Jose. A scout who has seen Barnes said he has very good mental makeup, an average fastball and the makings of an above-average curve. But command may be an issue, and he might end up a reliever.
Sabean said the Giants are still looking for another hitter, although they now aren't likely to go after any first basemen. Sabean said there are "six to eight" hitters the Giants are considering.
He also said the Giants currently have two teams considering one of their minor-league players, and he's waiting until the end of the night to find out if that deal is going to happen
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