Giants add Vincent on Minor League deal

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- During his four seasons with the Padres, right-handed reliever Nick Vincent grew to envy the Giants from afar.

“The Giants were World Series champs every other year, so I always hated them when I played against them,” Vincent said Thursday. “Couldn’t stand them. But I always knew it was a good organization, just looking how they carried themselves on the field and how it was run.”

That enmity has faded now that Vincent has agreed to terms with the Giants on a Minor League deal with an invitation to Major League Spring Training. Vincent reported to Scottsdale Stadium on Thursday, arriving two days before the club is slated to play its Cactus League opener against the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Vincent, 32, logged a 3.99 ERA over 56 1/3 innings in 62 appearances for the Mariners last season and has a 3.17 career ERA in seven seasons in the Majors. Despite being a dependable workhorse, Vincent struggled to find a job in a stagnant free-agent market this offseason.

Tired of holding out for Major League contract, Vincent decided to finally accept the Giants’ offer and immediately drove 14 hours from Austin, Texas, to Scottsdale to begin getting acclimated to his new team.

“It’s just a crazy free-agent market right now,” Vincent said. “I hope it gets better for the future players. It’s not getting any better right now, and it’s bad to be part of it, but it is what it is. As players, we just have to come together and see what we’ve got to do to fix it.”

Vincent is joining a deep mix of relievers that already includes right-handers Mark Melancon, Sam Dyson, Reyes Moronta, Ray Black and Trevor Gott, though he could nab a spot in the bullpen if the Giants choose to start some of their young arms in the Minors.

Bart impressing

Manager Bruce Bochy said he’s liked what he’s seen so far from top Giants prospect Joey Bart, who is navigating his first big league camp after being selected with the second overall pick in last June’s Draft.

“He’s eager to learn,” Bochy said Thursday. “You watch him, he listens. He wants to take in everything. He will get some playing time here, and I look forward to watching him. I love the way he’s carrying himself.”

Bochy said he also has a better sense of Bart’s tools after watching him up close for a couple of weeks.

“Very good mechanics,” Bochy said. “Strong arm. I think he has a good setup behind the plate. He’s a physical guy. You’ve seen the size of him. No question, he’s going to be able to handle the workload behind the plate over a long season. And the power. It’s impressive when you look at how the ball comes off his bat.”