Orioles reach agreement with Betemit

The Orioles may have found their designated hitter, or at least someone who can rotate into that spot. An industry source confirmed tonight that the Orioles have reached agreement with Wilson Betemit on a one-year contract, which will become official if he passes his physical. Betemit, 30, is a switch-hitter who's played every infield position, including 383 games at third base, and four games in the outfield in parts of nine major league seasons. He offers versatility, but is more likely to provide help with his bat. Betemit is a career .269/.336/.448 hitter with 63 homers and 243 RBIs in 1,742 at-bats. He batted a combined .285/.343/.452 with 22 doubles, four triples, eight homers and 46 RBIs in 97 games with the Royals and Tigers last season. The Orioles would be his seventh team. Betemit is a career .277/.348/.469 hitter from the left side of the plate, and a .246/.299/.385 hitter from the right. By adding Betemit to the roster, the Orioles could give him some starts at third while Mark Reynolds serves as the DH or slides over to first base, with Chris Davis being the DH. Then again, executive vice president Dan Duquette could have another move up his sleeve. The Sun first reported that the Orioles reached agreement with Betemit.