Best San Francisco Giants of the 2010s: 17. Aubrey Huff

The move to sign Aubrey Huff to a one-year deal prior to the 2010 season proved to be one of the best in San Francisco Giants history.

The San Francisco Giants signed Aubrey Huff to a one-year, $3 million deal prior to the 2010 season.

It was a low-risk move to add a proven slugger who was coming off a disappointing season at the most inopportune time.

After hitting .304/.360/.552 with 48 doubles, 32 home runs and 108 RBI with the Baltimore Orioles during the 2007 season, Huff entered his contract year expected to be one of the top bats of the 2009-10 free-agent class.

Instead, he struggled to a .241/.310/.384 line for an 81 OPS+ with 15 home runs and 85 RBI during the 2008 season. Entering his age-33 season, there were questions whether he had reached the end of the road, and that explains the quiet market for his services.

With a void to fill at first base, the Giants took a chance on him returning to form, and he did just that.

Splitting his time defensively between first base (100 games), left field (46 games) and right field (34 games), Huff hit .290/.385/.506 for a 142 OPS+ while leading the team in home runs (26), RBI (86) and runs scored (100).

That performance was also worth a team-leading and career-high 5.7 WAR, and he went on to go 15-for-56 with two doubles, one home run and eight RBI in 15 playoff games.

The San Francisco Giants brought him back on a two-year, $22 million deal during the offseason that proved to be ill-advised.

He hit .246/.306/.370 for a 92 OPS+ with 12 home runs and 59 RBI in 150 games during the 2011 season, then played just 52 games in 2012 after suffering a knee injury jumping over the railing during Matt Cain’s perfect game.

He hit .192/.326/.282 with one home run and seven RBI in 95 plate appearances during what would be his final season in the majors, though he did win a second World Series ring while going 1-for-9 with a walk serving as a pinch-hitter during the 2012 postseason.

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