NEW YORK -- Javy Lopez is on the verge of becoming the latest addition to the Baltimore Orioles ' rebuilding program.
The free-agent catcher and Baltimore were close to agreement Sunday night on a three-year deal worth about $23 million. The team hopes to finalize the deal Monday.
"We've had ongoing discussions with Baltimore since the winter meetings," Lopez's agent, Chuck Berry said. "They've been productive. They're hopeful of working out an agreement in the near future."
Baltimore already has added shortstop Miguel Tejada. The 2002 AL MVP agreed Dec. 14 to a $72 million, six-year contract.
"It's very close, but it's not completely done yet," Orioles spokesman Bill Stetka said. "We would hope to have an announcement in the morning."
Baltimore also has been speaking with the agents of two other prominent free agents: catcher Ivan Rodriguez and outfielder Vladimir Guerrero.
Lopez, 33, hit .328 last season for the Atlanta with 43 homers and 109 RBI, both career highs. It was his best year since 1998, when he hit .284 with 34 homers and 106 RBI.
But the cost-cutting Braves decided not to re-sign him and didn't offer salary arbitration Dec. 7, meaning he couldn't re-sign with them until May 1.
Baltimore has finished fourth in the AL East for six straight seasons behind the New York Yankees, Boston and Toronto.
The free-agent catcher and Baltimore were close to agreement Sunday night on a three-year deal worth about $23 million. The team hopes to finalize the deal Monday.
"We've had ongoing discussions with Baltimore since the winter meetings," Lopez's agent, Chuck Berry said. "They've been productive. They're hopeful of working out an agreement in the near future."
Baltimore already has added shortstop Miguel Tejada. The 2002 AL MVP agreed Dec. 14 to a $72 million, six-year contract.
"It's very close, but it's not completely done yet," Orioles spokesman Bill Stetka said. "We would hope to have an announcement in the morning."
Baltimore also has been speaking with the agents of two other prominent free agents: catcher Ivan Rodriguez and outfielder Vladimir Guerrero.
Lopez, 33, hit .328 last season for the Atlanta with 43 homers and 109 RBI, both career highs. It was his best year since 1998, when he hit .284 with 34 homers and 106 RBI.
But the cost-cutting Braves decided not to re-sign him and didn't offer salary arbitration Dec. 7, meaning he couldn't re-sign with them until May 1.
Baltimore has finished fourth in the AL East for six straight seasons behind the New York Yankees, Boston and Toronto.
