Orioles sign shortstop Freddy Galvis to one-year deal

The Orioles found their shortstop.

As expected, they got him on the free agent market.

The team announced tonight that it signed veteran Freddy Galvis to a one-year contract. Galvis is guaranteed $1.5 million, per a source, and can receive $250,000 if he's traded.

The deal doesn't include an option.

Galvis is the starting shortstop after the Orioles traded José Iglesias to the Angels on Dec. 2 for minor league pitchers Garrett Stallings and Jean Pinto.

Iglesias was set to earn $3.5 million after the Orioles exercised his option for 2021.

Galvis, 31, is a career .247/.291/.385 hitter in nine seasons spent with the Phillies, Padres, Blue Jays and Reds. He appeared in 47 games with Cincinnati last summer and slashed .220/.308/.404 with five doubles and seven home runs.

The 2019 season was much kinder to Galvis at the plate, where he had a combined 28 doubles, 23 home runs and 70 RBIs in 557 at-bats between the Blue Jays and Reds.

The 2021 deal represents a significant drop from the $5.5 million that Galvis was supposed to make last season before COVID-19 shut down the sport and reduced the season to 60 games.

Galvis is a former top Phillies prospect with a healthy defensive reputation who also can play second and third base. He was a Gold Glove finalist from 2016-18. Yolmer Sánchez figures to be the starter at second and Rio Ruiz is the current favorite to stay at third.

In 2017 and 2018, Galvis played in all 162 games with the Phillies and Padres, respectively. He's never posted a higher on-base percentage than .309.

The Orioles split the shortstop duties in 2019 between Jonathan Villar and Rule 5 pick Richie Martin. Villar is a free agent and the Orioles spoke to his representative, according to a source.

The club also expressed interest in Daniel Robertson, who signed a minor league deal with the Brewers, and Ehire Adrianza, who signed a minor league deal with the Braves earlier today.

Adrianza reportedly can make $1.5 million if he's in the majors.

Martin apparently will vie for a utility job in spring training.

To create room for Galvis on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have designated outfielder/first baseman Chris Shaw for assignment.

The Orioles claimed Shaw on waivers from the Giants on Nov. 25. The former first-round draft pick out of Boston College appeared in 38 games with the Giants in 2018-19 and went 11-for-72 (.153) with two doubles and a home run.

The bat has been much more productive in the minors, where Shaw slashed .279/.340/.520 with 109 home runs in five seasons. He had 27 doubles and 28 home runs with 94 RBIs in 2019 over 120 games with Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento.