We heard yesterday that the Orioles agreed to terms with Derrek Lee on a one-year contract. Now we’re learning some of the potential details.
While Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun writes that the contract is expected to be worth $8 million, Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports hears that the deal includes incentives and could be worth as much as $10 million.
That’s a big price to pay for a 35-year-old first baseman coming off a 774 OPS and thumb surgery, but it’s right in line with the market value. Remember, Lance Berkman received $8 million from the Cardinals and the Cubs are paying Carlos Pena $10 million, though some of the money is deferred.
As Aaron pointed out yesterday and Buster Olney of ESPN.com wrote this morning, committing only one year to Lee gives the Orioles the ability to be flexible going into next winter, when Prince Fielder will be a free agent.