Best San Francisco Giants of the 2010s: 46. Edgar Renteria

It’s easy to forget that Edgar Renteria played a pivotal role in the San Francisco Giants winning a World Series title in 2010.

The San Francisco Giants signed Edgar Renteria to a two-year, $18.5 million deal prior to the 2009 season to replace the departing Omar Vizquel as the starting shortstop.

A five-time All-Star who was entering his age-32 season when he joined the Giants, Renteria was no longer the impact offensive player he was in his prime, but he was a proven option at a premium position.

He batted just .250/.307/.328 with 25 extra-base hits in 124 games while posting -1.4 WAR in his first season in San Francisco, and he moved into a reserve role in his second season with Juan Uribe sliding over from third base to handle shortstop duties.

Despite the role reduction, he still saw semi-regular playing time and hit .276/.332/.374 with 16 extra-base hits in 267 plate appearances for 0.6 WAR.

When an underperforming Pablo Sandoval was benched during the NLCS, Renteria returned to a starting role in the postseason.

Following a lackluster 1-for-16 showing in the NLCS, Renteria stepped up in a big way in the World Series, going 7-for-17 with two home runs, six RBI and six runs scored to earn MVP honors.

He walked in free agency during the offseason and signed with the Cincinnati Reds for what would be his final MLB season, but his performance in the 2010 World Series alone is enough to earn him a spot on this list, despite his brief and otherwise largely disappointing tenure with the club.

Back before slick-fielding Brandon Crawford was manning the shortstop position for the San Francisco Giants, veteran Edgar Renteria was helping lead the team to a World Series title with some late-career heroics.

Check back here regularly as we count down the 50 best San Francisco Giants of the 2010s.