The Orioles are close to signing free agent Aubrey Huff to a three-year contract worth at least $18 million.
Huff, who recently turned 30, will be the Orioles’ second offensive addition of the off-season, joining free-agent outfielder Jay Payton. The Orioles plan to use Huff mostly in left field, but he also could get at-bats at first base and designated hitter. The Orioles’ outfield currently consists of Payton in left, Corey Patterson in center and Nick Markakis in right. The addition of Huff will give the team the flexibility to trade Patterson or designated hitter Jay Gibbons — or stand pat and benefit from its increased depth.
Huff batted .267 with 21 homers and 66 RBIs in 454 at-bats with the Devil Rays and Astros last season. He missed nearly a month early in the season with a left knee injury, but otherwise has been durable, averaging 158 games from 2003-05. He is one of only 10 major leaguers to produce 20 homers and 25 RBIs in each of the past five seasons. Defense is not Huff’s forte. He has spent most of his career at third base, but also has played first base, right and left. He has made only eight career appearances in left, seven starts.