Giants acquire reliever Hawkins

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Giants acquired right-handed reliever LaTroy Hawkins from the Chicago Cubs for right-handers Jerome Williams and David Aardsma on Saturday, finally putting a veteran setup man in the shaky San Francisco bullpen.

With the Cubs paying most of Hawkins’ salary this season, Giants general manager Brian Sabean was willing to give up two talented prospects to get help – even in the form of a struggling reliever who has been derided by Chicago’s fans and media since last season.

“We’re in desperate need to rearrange the bullpen,” Sabean said. “We followed (Hawkins) for the better part of May. I believe he needs a change of scenery. He’ll fit in nice in our seventh and eighth inning.”

The Giants could have used him Saturday, when they blew a one-run lead in the final innings of a 5-3 loss to San Diego. Jeff Fassero allowed two baserunners in the eighth before Phil Nevin hit a three-run homer off closer Tyler Walker.

San Francisco’s beleaguered relievers already have made 167 appearances this season – the most in the majors.

The bullpen, which has given up 11 runs in 102/3 innings over the last three games, has one of the National League’s worst ERAs.