O's & Aubrey Huff agree on 3-yr deal...

Originally Posted by ESPN

The Orioles have reached agreement with free-agent utilityman Aubrey Huff, the Baltimore Sun reported Saturday, citing several industry sources.

The offer is believed to be for three years and $20 million, the newspaper reported.

Huff, a 30-year-old left-handed slugger, is expected to take a physical next week in Baltimore.

"All that is left is a physical and dotting the I's and crossing the T's," one source familiar with the negotiations told the Sun.

The Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates also were believed to be pursuing Huff, the newspaper reported.

One factor the Orioles had to appreciate: Huff has a .285 career average at Camden Yards and has batted .297 against the Orioles over his seven seasons in the majors. He has more home runs (20) and RBI (63) against Baltimore than against any other team.

Huff hit a combined .267 in 2006 for Tampa Bay and Houston, with 21 home runs and 66 RBI. He was dealt to Houston on July 13 and hit .250 in 68 games for the Astros. He posted career highs in 2003 with a .311 average, 34 home runs and 107 RBI.

Originally Posted by ESPN

BALTIMORE -- Aubrey Huff and the Baltimore Orioles finalized their $20 million, three-year contract on Wednesday.

Huff, who is expected to be the Orioles' starting left fielder, will receive $4 million this year and $8 million in each of the following two seasons.

His agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, reached a preliminary agreement last weekend with Orioles vice president Jim Duquette. Huff finalized the contract Wednesday in Baltimore after passing his physical.

The 30-year-old has batted .285 and 141 home runs in his major league career. He has hit at least 21 homers in each of his last five seasons, averaging 26 over that span.

Baltimore had only two players with at least 20 homers last year: Miguel Tejada (24) and Ramon Hernandez (23).

The left-handed hitting Huff has played first base, third base, right field and left field since coming up to the majors in 2000 with Tampa Bay. He spent all or part of his seven seasons in the majors with the Devil Rays until being traded to Houston last July after the All-Star break.

Huff batted a combined .267 with 21 homers and 66 RBI in 136 games between the Rays and Astros last season.

Huff is one of 17 players to hit at least 20 homers in each of the last five seasons. He had career highs of 34 homers and 107 RBI in 2003, when he batted .311.

He is Tampa Bay's career leader in games, at-bats, runs, hits, doubles, home runs, extra-base hits and RBI. He hit .299 with 20 homers and 63 RBI against the Orioles.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press