Orioles sign Atkins and Mike Gonzalez and are in on two more!

[OrioleMagic]

I am pleasantly surprised.

The Orioles signed Reliever Mike Gonzalez and 3B/1B Garrett Atkins last night.

They are also inquiring about Matt Holliday!

According to Ken Rosenthal, Andy MacPhail made a serious run at trading for Adrian Gonzalez during the winter meetings!

I doubt either of the latter two happen, but I am please to know that MacPhail is out there doing what he needs to do.

[DirtyKash]

Damn, nice moves. It's sure looking like the Blue Jays are going to finish last in the division the way this offseason is going.

[Kingdom]

The Holliday thing will probably be like Teixeira, sure they can throw him the big contract but he'll ultimately pick St. Louis or some other contender. But. If they got Holliday, what an outfield they would have. Holliday-AJones-Markakis? That's nifty.

Atkins signing has potential, he'll either pick it back up or he'll suck again. He's extremely bi-polar like Aubrey Huff, but at least it's an AL team that can DH him some, to avoid his defense to a degree. I like Mike Gonzalez, I would not have minded if Atlanta kept him. If he's not over-worked, he'll be solid.

[redsrbetter]

If I remember correctly, Atkins has only had one down year. Which was last season. And I think it is due to the competition between he and Ian Stewart.

I think this is a good couple of signings. Anyone know how much these players signed for?

[redsrbetter]

By the way OM, I edited your thread title to name the FAs signed. I hope you are cool with that.

[Providence A's]

Who is the 2nd FA they're in on? Holliday and who? Adrian Gonzalez isn't a FA. I'm surprised that they would give up a draft pick to sign Mike Gonzalez. I really don't Atkins being much of a factor, but you never know.

[redsrbetter]

I fixed the thread title again. My mistake on the second FA.

You don't think Atkins will bounce back man?

[Providence A's]

He's declined each year since 2006 (OPS: .965, .853, .780, .650). I know he had less ABs last year, but pretty much all of his positive numbers have declined each year.

[Porter]

Atkins similar players on baseball reference:

1. Dave Nilsson
3. Jorge Cantu
4. Ty Wigginton
5. Fernando Tatis

[ThomasTomasz]

If I remember correctly, Atkins has only had one down year. Which was last season. And I think it is due to the competition between he and Ian Stewart.

I think this is a good couple of signings. Anyone know how much these players signed for?

Atkins at one year for $4 million (8.5 option for 2011) and Gonzalez got a two year, $6 million deal. Very good price for both of them, and the O's still aren't done- Atkins gives them some flexibility as far as signing or trading for another corner infielder.

Both are low-risk/high-reward players, perfect for what the Orioles need them for- they are stopgaps, and it's not like the Orioles lose much if they don't pan out. Two very good moves by MacPhail.

[OrioleMagic]

I'm cool with all editing. Yeah, AGon isn't a FA... I just meant the O's were trying for 2 more, but I wasn't hopeful of either.