hernandez to the Os

[stumpak]

The Baltimore Orioles and catcher Ramon Hernandez reached a preliminary agreement on a $27.25 million, four-year contract.


Hernandez hit .290 with 12 home runs and 58 RBI with the San Diego Padres in 2005. The Orioles' 2005 catcher Javy Lopez hit .278 with 15 home runs and 59 RBI.


The deal is subject to a physical and probably won't be finalized until next week.

[slomo007]

Sounds like a lot I guess, but considering so many other signings this offseason that seems pretty reasonable for a catcher in his prime. Not a bad signing at all. I'm actually surprised that he signed for that amount - $7M per.

[BigLebowski]

Good move by the O's here. I'm not a fan of it myself as I had Hernandez in my NL only league for $7.

The AL East is gonna be rough next season.

[Havok1517]

So now B. Molina becomes the man to get.

[djacks]

here's the link to ESPN...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2252475

[chadlincoln]

Wow, that seems like a lot of $$$ for a catcher who's not a long-time proven vet.

[stumpak]

I also would have thought that the Os would choose to invest in a corner OF. I guess this means Javy is full-time DH or 1B.