Orioles Sign Garrett Atkins

The Orioles signed corner infielder Garrett Atkins to a one-year, $4.5MM deal today.  He has an $8.5MM club option for 2011 with a $500K buyout.  Atkins can earn up to $500K in incentives in 2010.  Dan Connolly and Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun broke news of the agreement on December 16th, while Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post and MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez (via Twitter) followed with contract details.

Atkins was non-tendered by Colorado on December 12th after hitting .226/.308/.342 in 399 plate appearances in 2009.  Atkins spent his entire seven-year major league career with the Rockies, posting a career .811 OPS.  He's logged time at first and third base in recent years, and his versatility gives the O's the ability to sign another corner infielder if they choose.

My expectations for Atkins are pretty low, but there's little harm in the Orioles giving him a shot.

This post was rewritten by Tim Dierkes.