SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants hope a slimmed-down Edgar Renteria fits perfectly the hole left by Omar Vizquel in the middle of their infield.

Renteria, who signed an $18.5 million, two-year deal with the Giants in December, was criticized for being overweight when he reported to spring training with Detroit last season. But he showed up for a January workout with the Giants having shed about 15 pounds.

"He lost weight and he's been working hard," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "He's been in Arizona and I saw him over there. He's got himself in good shape."

The 33-year-old shortstop showed off his new frame Friday in San Francisco during the Giants' annual FanFest.

Sitting alone in a luxurious suites overlooking AT&T Park, Renteria laughed and smiled as he talked about playing for his third team in three years and trying to replace Vizquel, an 11-time Gold Glove winner.

"Everybody knows how good Omar is," Renteria said. "I saw him all the time and I always liked the game he played. He's one of the best defensive shortstops in the game. I'm going to go in with the same routine I always have and do whatever they ask me to."

The Giants declined their 2009 option on Vizquel after four seasons in San Francisco. He signed with the Texas Rangers as a utility infielder.

Renteria's acquisition in December cleared up at least one of the issues facing the Giants this spring. Bochy said San Francisco is still unsettled at second base, has a need for right-handed hitting in the lineup and may have to keep a third catcher, which could force the team to jettison one of its veteran outfielders.

"I really can't see another shortstop that was on the market that could come in and more closely resemble the type of player and the type of guy that Omar was than Edgar, and we ended up getting Edgar," said outfielder Aaron Rowand.

Renteria's weight may have been one of the reasons the Tigers cut ties with him. It wasn't until midseason that he finally got into shape. Although his numbers improved over the second half, he still finished with a .270 batting average that was the second-lowest of his career.

The Tigers declined their $11 million option and gave him a $3 million buyout instead.

The Giants were considering using Emmanuel Burriss at shortstop before Renteria became available. Now they'll plug the hole left by Vizquel with a veteran who's played at least 133 games every season but one since his rookie year in 1996.

"Omar was one of the best teammates I've had a chance to play with and I consider myself lucky to have been a teammate of his. I'd be lying if I said we weren't going to miss a guy like him, not only on the field but in the clubhouse and as a friend," Rowand said.

"By the same token, it's exciting to have a guy like Edgar to take his place. He's a great guy on and off the field as well. I know what he's capable of doing and he's going to do a great job for us."