Written by Eduardo A. Encina at the BaltimoreSun.com
News of the Orioles’ pending addition of right-hander Yovani Gallardo — and the front office’s message that their unprecedented spending would continue into spring training — was welcomed inside the club’s clubhouse Sunday morning.
After a lengthy negotiation process, Gallardo agreed to terms Saturday on a three-year deal that will guarantee him $35 million. He is expected to arrive at the Ed Smith Stadium complex on Monday or Tuesday to take his club physical, which he must pass before the deal is finalized.
“It’s letting all of us know that the front office is all in, too,” said shortstop J.J. Hardy, who is entering the second year of a three-year, $40 million extension. “Everybody is all in, so it’s good. It’s good to be a player here. That’s why I wanted to stay back, because I felt they were going to do everything they possibly could to make this team as good as possible, and that’s what they’re doing.”
The Orioles now have invested nearly $250 million this offseason in free-agent contracts. Most of that comes from Chris Davis’ club-record seven-year, $161 million deal, but the team also retained reliever Darren O’Day on a four-year, $31 million deal and catcher Matt Wieters with a one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer. The team also ventured into the international free-agent market by signing outfielder Hyun Soo Kim to a two-year, $7million deal.
With Gallardo, the Orioles’ payroll is nearing $150 million, passing last year’s record Opening Day payroll of about $119 million.
“I think it says a lot about the commitment to winning,” Wieters said. “We were able to get a lot of guys back from last year’s team who we didn’t know would be back. And to be able to add on top of that definitely lets you know that ownership is ready to win now, which [creates] a great feeling being in the clubhouse.”
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