Former Oriole Steve Pearce agrees to terms with Rays

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  Roch Kubatko

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  January 21, 2016 1:58 pm

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The Orioles apparently will go 3-for-6 in keeping their free agents.
Outfielder/first baseman Steve Pearce has agreed to terms with the Rays on a one-year deal, with sources confirming a Tampa Bay Tribune report. The contract is pending a physical.
Matt Wieters accepted the Orioles’ $15.8 million qualifying offer, reliever Darren O’Day signed a four-year, $31 million deal and first baseman Chris Davis agreed to terms on a seven-year, $161 million deal that should become official this…

The Orioles apparently will go 3-for-6 in keeping their free agents.

Outfielder/first baseman Steve Pearce has agreed to terms with the Rays on a one-year deal, with sources confirming a Tampa Bay Tribune report. The contract is pending a physical.

Matt Wieters accepted the Orioles’ $15.8 million qualifying offer, reliever Darren O’Day signed a four-year, $31 million deal and first baseman Chris Davis agreed to terms on a seven-year, $161 million deal that should become official this afternoon.

Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen signed a five-year, $80 million contract with the Marlins and outfielder Gerardo Parra signed a three-year, $27.5 million contract with the Rockies.

The Orioles never made an aggressive play to keep Chen, Parra and Pearce. Chen was deemed too expensive. The Orioles didn’t want to give Parra three years.

Pearce was a possibility as a late signing. He’s a favorite of manager Buck Showalter and his versatility and right-handed power are valued. However, the Orioles still hadn’t contacted his agent the last time I checked earlier this month.

Pearce sought a two-year deal, but he viewed the Rays as a perfect match. He’s a Lakeland native who rakes at Tropicana Field, posting a career .288/.395/.644 slash line with seven home runs in 23 games. That’s his highest home run total in any ballpark besides Camden Yards.

A popular figure in the clubhouse, Pearce batted only .218/.289/.422 in 92 games last season after hitting .293/.373/.556 with 21 home runs in 102 games in 2014. He’s battled wrist injuries in the past.

Pearce played for the Orioles in 2012 and again in 2013-2015.

No word yet on terms of Pearce’s deal with the Rays.