SAN FRANCISCO -- In a widely anticipated move, the Giants retained catcher Nick Hundley by signing him to a one-year contract Tuesday.
Hundley, 34, was a free agent, but found a niche with San Francisco last season. Besides starting 65 games as Buster Posey's backup, Hundley also buoyed teammates by maintaining constant optimism, despite the Giants' last-place finish in the National League West.
Hundley acknowledged receiving offers from other clubs. Ultimately, however, he wanted to remain a Giant.
"At the end of the day, it would have to be something that I couldn't say no to," he said. "This is an opportunity to be with San Francisco, and I couldn't say no to that. There's only a handful of teams that are trying to win it all, and San Francisco's one of them."
Hundley admitted it wasn't cynical to cite the Giants' 64-98 record last season as a sign that contention might be unattainable.
"We have a lot to prove," he said. "The challenge of going from last place to first place is an immense challenge. But it's definitely a worthy cause."
Hundley's success at contributing in the clubhouse as well as on the field led to his receiving the Willie Mac Award as the team's most inspirational performer. He became the eighth player to earn the honor in his first season with the Giants.

The 10-year veteran recorded a .244/.272/.418 slash line with nine home runs and 35 RBIs in 101 games. His 23 doubles were a career high. All but seven of those doubles came on the road, where Hundley excelled, batting .272 with a .483 slugging percentage in 48 road games, compared with .214 and .350 in 53 games at AT&T Park.