Giants rumors: San Francisco frontrunner for Marco Scaturo

Bidding for free agent Marco Scutaro is said to have reached "something in the range" of three years and $24 million, and the San Francisco Giants are viewed as the frontrunner to re-sign the infielder, reports Buster Olney of ESPN:

Bidding on Marco Scutaro said to have reached something in the range of 3 years, $24 million; SF viewed as frontrunner by source involved.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 4, 2012

Beyond the Giants, the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees were listed as two other clubs expressing interest in Scutaro, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. New York has shown interest in several versatile infielders, including Scutaro and Jeff Keppinger, since the news of Alex Rodriguez’s hip injury broke.

Three years and $24 million is quite the large offer for a player that was hitting .271/.324/.361 over 377 at-bats last season. After accruing these underwhelming totals for the Colorado Rockies last summer, Scutaro was traded to the Giants.

Scutaro was a new player once he reached San Francisco, hitting .362/.385/.473 with 16 doubles, one triple and three home runs over 243 at-bats. The 37-year-old manned second and third base for the Giants.

Over 11 seasons at the major league level Scutaro owns a career line of .276/.340/.391. Beyond second and third base, he also has the ability to man shortstop.