UPDATE:
The #Rays have signed free agent 1B/OF and Lakeland native Steve Pearce (@WayneTwentyOcho) to a one-year contract. pic.twitter.com/fTTYd8cQIC
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) January 29, 2016
Pearce got $4.75M on #rays deal
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 29, 2016
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The Tampa Bay Rays haven't been awfully active this offseason, but rumors indicate the club added a player in free agency on Thursday.
Steve Pearce has agreed to a one-year contract with the Rays, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Topkin says the deal is pending a physical. Pearce is expected to see reps at first base, in the outfield and as a DH, specifically against left-handed pitching.
Jon Heyman also confirmed the deal.
Topkin previously reported the Rays might have interest in Pearce, among other potential buy-low free-agent options. The Baltimore Orioles, his incumbent team, were interested in re-signing him, but it was reported the veteran was seeking a two-year deal and the O's have other pressing needs to fulfill.
FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal notes Pearce has a lifetime 1.039 OPS at Tropicana Field in 86 plate appearances. The slugger endured a breakout year as a 31-year-old in 2014 when he hit .293/.373/.556 with 51 runs scored, 21 home runs and 49 RBI in 102 games, but he didn't have the same success in 2015, which perhaps decreased his value in free agency.
Pearce's three-year stint with the Baltimore Orioles from 2013-2015 was the best of his career. The 32-year-old batted .258 with 40 home runs and 102 RBI over that span of 238 games. Pearce has a career .824 OPS against left-handed pitchers, which is a huge plus for the Rays' lineup, which hit .260/.324/.435 against lefties in 2015.
Pearce might end up playing a significant role with the Rays in 2016 depending on how the rest of their MLB roster holds up. Outfielders Desmond Jennings and Steven Souza Jr. endured injury woes last year as did first baseman James Loney.
Additionally, Pearce has ample experience in the AL East, which is another aspect of his signing the Rays probably value.
Stay tuned for a confirmation on the one-year deal as well as a corresponding move on the Rays' 40-man roster.
