The San Francisco Giants, satisfied by Cory Snyder's impressive spring, purchased the utility player's minor league contract and gave him a one-year, $500,000 pact.
The deal includes a $10,000 bonus for each game from No. 81 to 130."My goal this spring was to make the team, so I'm excited," said the former BYU standout.
Snyder, 29, initially was signed to a $250,000 minor-league contract by the Giants during the winter after being released by the Toronto Blue Jays. He batted .181 with three homers and 17 RBIs last year with the White Sox and the Blue Jays.
The Giants acquired Snyder to strengthen their bench. He has played six positions this spring. Snyder also has been impressive at the plate, hitting .304 and leading the club with three homers.
Snyder, a six-year veteran, was Cleveland's top pick and the fourth overall in the 1984 draft.
"Cory will fill a utility role," manager Roger Craig said. "He'll pinch hit and can play a lot of positions, so he'll get enough at bats to stay sharp.'
He excelled in the outfield and at the plate for the Indians in 1987 and 1988, averaging .254 over those two seasons with 59 home runs and 157 RBIs.
But in 1989, his average plunged to .215. He still had 18 homers but also struck out 134 times in 489 at-bats.
Snyder hit .233 the next season with 14 homers before being traded in December 1990 to the White Sox as part of a four-player swap. He appeared in 50 games for the White Sox, hitting .188 with three homers before being traded again at midseason to Toronto, where he went .143 with no homers in 21 games.