LINK

 

Huff, Orioles agree in principle on three-year deal

By DAVID GINSBURG, AP Sports Writer

December 31, 2006

 

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Aubrey Huff has reached a preliminary agreement on a three-year, $20 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles, who hope the versatile free agent can add punch to a lineup that ranked 11th in the AL in home runs last season.

 

The agreement was secured over the weekend, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity because the Orioles have not yet announced the deal. The contract will be finalized if Huff passes a physical, which will likely be administered this week in Baltimore.

 

ADVERTISEMENT

Huff, 30, can play first base, third base and both corner spots in the outfield. But his value to the Orioles is his bat: Huff hit 21 homers last season with Tampa Bay and Houston, and averaged 27 from 2002-05 with the Devil Rays.

 

Baltimore hit only 164 homers last season, led by Miguel Tejada (24) and Ramon Hernandez (23). No other player hit more than 16.

 

Huff is a .285 career hitter with 141 homers and 487 RBIs. In 48 career games at Camden Yards, he's hit eight homers and driven in 29 runs.

 

His best season was in 2003, when he hit 34 home runs and had 107 RBIs in 162 games with the Devil Rays. He is one of five active major leaguers who have at least 20 homers and 25 doubles in each of the past five seasons.

 

Huff is expected to join an outfield that this winter was supplemented by the addition of free agent Jay Payton, who batted .296 with 10 homers and 59 RBIs in 142 games with Oakland last season.

 

The agreement with Huff was first reported by The (Baltimore) Sun.

Orioles = My Sleeper pick of '07. They are finally making the right moves. This one made the most sence because they need power and Huff has put up some big numbers in Baltimore.

Good signing because of the years and money

Orioles = My Sleeper pick of '07.

 

:lol

excellent signing.

Finally making the right moves? What a joke I wish I could be satisfied w/ their offseason but it's just been lame..... Huff is definitely the biggest one yet and by far the best deal made by the O's of the offseason

 

Step in the right direction? I sure hope so..................

You're crazy. No way in hell they can compete in that division.

 

And this is the first move off the offseason that actually improved the team.

Baseball is a crazy sport, Leo actually gets a chance to improve the rotation this ST since last year most of them were in the WBC and he didn't get much of a chance to work with them (he said so himself). They improved the pen, the biggest weakness last year and added some offence to protect miguel for once. Even if they don't make the playoffs, they might finish at or above 500. Did you ever picture the Tigers heading to the playoffs last offseason? :mischief

Their starting pitching still blows. At least they kept Huf out of Philly.

Orioles = My Sleeper pick of '07.

This is a good signing for the O's and I've been a fan of the O's since the early 90's, and even as such, I say you're crazy. The O's probably won't be competitive until Angelos gets out of town.

Their starting pitching still blows. At least they kept Huf out of Philly.

 

How does it blow?

 

Rodrigo Lopez blows, but look at the talent they have

 

Daniel Cabrera threw a one hitter against new york last year the kid has tremendous stuff and when he gets it together, i smell a solid #2-3 starter at the least.

 

Erik Bedard has already established himself as a solid pitcher. As he gains experience he continues to improve, and I expect him to be their best pitcher overall in 2007.

 

Adam Loewen showed flashes of brilliance out there too. He's got a great curveball to offset a low 90's fastball, and he'll only improve with some more experience.

 

Benson and Wright are ok pitchers they might not dominate out there but they can be counted on to have ERA's in the low to mid 4's (which is not particularly great but still)

 

Their rotation is probably one of the least of their worries.

Pitching is what they need, not another bat. Aside from Bedard who has looked good at times, their rotation needs improvement because it's pitching that wins championships but Angelos has always signed big bats instead of arms.

Pitching is what they need, not another bat. Aside from Bedard who has looked good at times, their rotation needs improvement because it's pitching that wins championships but Angelos has always signed big bats instead of arms.

The Orioles usually sign good hitters but never hitters. The difference with the Angelos organization is that they aren't churning out great home grown pitchers anymore. It seems the only goal of Angelos is to turn a profit. The franchise will never move forward while he is owner.

The Orioles usually sign good hitters but never hitters.

 

Yeah i know right? :blink: :mischief2

Are you kidding? How did Aubrey Huff only get that in this offseason? I would have paid $25 Million for Huff over three years...

yeah I can't really think of any other players who got deals for what they're truly worth besides huff.

Huff has been mediocre the last 2 seasons.

yeah I can't really think of any other players who got deals for what they're truly worth besides huff.

Seabass

 

:mischief2