Zen-like Todd
December-22nd-2003, 05:49 PM
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=577&e=2&u=/nm/20031222/sp_nm/al_lopez_dc
Orioles Sign Catcher Javy Lopez on Three-Year Deal
2 hours, 35 minutes ago Add Sports - Reuters to My Yahoo!
BALTIMORE (Reuters) - The Baltimore Orioles (news) continued their off-season shopping spree Monday, signing free agent Javy Lopez (news) to a three-year deal worth a reported $22 million.
Former Atlanta Braves (news) catcher Lopez becomes Baltimore's second major acquisition in 14 days as the Orioles fight to keep pace with big-spending New York Yankees (news) and Boston Red Sox (news). "Javy Lopez provides us with a solid catcher and another explosive bat for our lineup," Orioles vice president for baseball operations Mike Flanagan said in a statement.
"He brings a veteran presence to our club and played a big part in creating and maintaining Atlanta's winning environment over the last decade."
The Orioles signaled their intention to get back into the American League (news) East battle last week when they signed MVP shortstop Miguel Tejada (news) to a six-year $72 million deal.
They have also continued to express interest in Montreal Expos (news) slugger Vladimir Guerrero (news).
Baltimore, who have not made the playoffs since 1997, finished last season 30 games back of the Yankees and 24 behind the Red Sox.
Puerto Rican Lopez arrives in Baltimore coming off a career 2003 season, batting .328 with 43 homers and 109 RBI's for the Atlanta Braves.
The 33-year-old became just the third catcher in major league history to hit .300 or better with at least 40 home runs and 100 RBIs.
Lopez, a three-time all-star who spent the last 12 years with Braves, has a career .287 batting average with 214 home runs and 694 RBIs.
He was the MVP in the 1996 National League (news) championship Series and has a .278 batting average with 10 homers and 28 RBI in 60 post-season games.
Orioles Sign Catcher Javy Lopez on Three-Year Deal
2 hours, 35 minutes ago Add Sports - Reuters to My Yahoo!
BALTIMORE (Reuters) - The Baltimore Orioles (news) continued their off-season shopping spree Monday, signing free agent Javy Lopez (news) to a three-year deal worth a reported $22 million.
Former Atlanta Braves (news) catcher Lopez becomes Baltimore's second major acquisition in 14 days as the Orioles fight to keep pace with big-spending New York Yankees (news) and Boston Red Sox (news). "Javy Lopez provides us with a solid catcher and another explosive bat for our lineup," Orioles vice president for baseball operations Mike Flanagan said in a statement.
"He brings a veteran presence to our club and played a big part in creating and maintaining Atlanta's winning environment over the last decade."
The Orioles signaled their intention to get back into the American League (news) East battle last week when they signed MVP shortstop Miguel Tejada (news) to a six-year $72 million deal.
They have also continued to express interest in Montreal Expos (news) slugger Vladimir Guerrero (news).
Baltimore, who have not made the playoffs since 1997, finished last season 30 games back of the Yankees and 24 behind the Red Sox.
Puerto Rican Lopez arrives in Baltimore coming off a career 2003 season, batting .328 with 43 homers and 109 RBI's for the Atlanta Braves.
The 33-year-old became just the third catcher in major league history to hit .300 or better with at least 40 home runs and 100 RBIs.
Lopez, a three-time all-star who spent the last 12 years with Braves, has a career .287 batting average with 214 home runs and 694 RBIs.
He was the MVP in the 1996 National League (news) championship Series and has a .278 batting average with 10 homers and 28 RBI in 60 post-season games.