Giants signing ex-A’s catcher Stephen Vogt: ‘lifelong dream’
During his five seasons with the A’s, catcher Stephen Vogt didn’t hide the fact he grew up a Giants fan.
He was devoted to Oakland, but his roots were in San Francisco. As a kid, he drove with his family from his Visalia home several times a year to watch the Giants and his two favorite players, Will Clark and Barry Bonds.
“It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to play for the Giants,” Vogt said. “It’s going to come true this year.”
The Giants and Vogt, 34, agreed to a minor-league deal Sunday night. He flew from Seattle to Phoenix on Monday and is scheduled for a physical Tuesday when pitchers and catchers report to training camp.
Vogt, who didn’t appear in the majors last season, is working his way back from his May shoulder surgery and will ease into spring training. He said he’s throwing nearly 90 percent from 150 feet and nearly 100 percent from 90 feet but needs to work on throwing from the crouch. He has been hitting in a cage.
The Giants had been seeking catching depth around Buster Posey, who had hip surgery in August and might not assume a full catching load right away.
Reached while waiting for his luggage at the Phoenix airport, Vogt said, “I’ve kind of had a Christmas-morning feel the whole time since we agreed.”
Vogt was immensely popular with A’s teammates, along with fans who greeted him with “I believe in Stephen Vogt” chants. He is a two-time All-Star and three-time winner of the Catfish Hunter Award as the team’s most inspirational player, an honor voted on by players and staff.
“I’ve definitely heard from some A’s fans, but most of them are just kind of jabbing at me in fun,” Vogt said. “I haven’t been there for a year and a half now. I know there’s going to be a little bit of friction, and it’ll be a little weird experiencing those Bay Bridge games from a different side.”
The Giants were one of five teams to attend Vogt’s Jan. 31 workout in Washington. Farhan Zaidi, president of baseball operations, was an A’s executive during Vogt’s first two seasons in Oakland and kept in touch with Vogt during the negotiation process.
As with other Zaidi signings, Vogt will be asked to be versatile, so aside from his catcher’s mitt, he brought a first baseman’s mitt along with gloves for the outfield and third base, though he doesn’t expect to be working much at third. He said he’s down 10 to 15 pounds to 215, which could improve his flexibility for other positions.
In June 2017, Vogt’s time in Oakland ended when he was claimed off waivers by the Brewers, for whom he hit .254 with eight homers in 45 games. He was shelved last year and watched the Brewers fall one game shy of the World Series.
Vogt has admired Posey from afar, and now he’ll be in camp with the six-time All-Star, along with catchers Aramis Garcia, Cameron Rupp and Rene Rivera, plus top prospect Joey Bart, who’s expected to open the season at Class A San Jose.
“The chance to catch alongside Buster and learn from him and work together and help win games, I’m super excited for that,” Vogt said.
The day Vogt flew to Arizona to join the Giants, their old backup catcher, Nick Hundley, signed with the A’s.
John Shea is The San Francisco Chronicle’s national baseball writer. Email: @JohnSheaHey
