Mark Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the Rays are “close to signing” free agent first baseman/outfielder Steve Pearce to a one-year contract.
Pearce resurrected his career with the Orioles in 2013 and 2014, ranking among the league’s best hitters in the latter season with a .930 OPS, but then collapsed last year while batting just .218 in 92 games.
While struggling overall he still showed plenty of power with 15 homers in 294 at-bats and at age 33 he could fill a part-time role very well if spotted mostly versus left-handed pitching.
