The Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a $37.5 million, three-year contract to keep major league home run champion Mark Trumbo, a person familiar with the negotiations said.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the agreement is contingent on Trumbo passing a physical.
Trumbo hit 47 home runs last year and became a free agent. The 31-year-old did not accept the Orioles’ qualifying offer of a $17.2 million, one-year contract, wanting to test the market. Uncertain whether he would return, the Orioles acquired outfielder Seth Smith from Seattle earlier this month.
With Trumbo leading the way, the Orioles earned an AL wild-card berth last season, then lost to Toronto in 11 innings.
Trumbo played in 159 games last season, batting .256 while setting career highs for home runs and RBIs (108). While he suspect defensively in right field, he made up for that deficiency with his offense. Trumbo had 157 hits, 51 walks and a .316 on-base percentage.
Obtained before last season from the Mariners, Trumbo has 178 homers and 517 RBIs over a seven-year big career with the Los Angeles Angels, Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle and Baltimore.
DAVID GINSBURG
