Orioles sign Adam Frazier to 2023 contract

The Orioles found their left-handed hitting second baseman.

Adam Frazier signed a one-year contract this afternoon worth a guaranteed $8 million. The club announced the length of the deal and an industry source confirmed the amount.

Frazier, who turned 31 yesterday, will be joining his fourth team since 2021. He appeared in a career-high 156 games for the Mariners this season, most on the club, and slashed .238/.301/.311 with 22 doubles, four triples, three home runs, 42 RBIs, 61 runs scored, 46 walks and a career-high 11 stolen bases.

The four triples also led the Mariners and tied for ninth in the American League.

Frazier was an All-Star in 2021, which he split between the Pirates and Padres. He hit a combined .305/.368/.411 in 155 games with 36 doubles, five triples, five home runs, 43 RBIs, 48 walks and 10 steals.

Baseball-Reference.com assigns a 12.4 WAR to Frazier, who’s a career .273/.336/.392 hitter and hasn’t struck out more than 75 times in seven major league seasons since the Pirates selected him in the sixth round of the 2013 draft out of Mississippi State.

The 2022 season rates as Frazier's worst in a full season, but the Orioles are counting on a bounce back.

Most of Frazier’s starts this year came at second base, but he also played all three outfield spots and shortstop. He made six appearances at third base with the Pirates.

The Orioles have been searching for a left-handed hitter to replace Rougned Odor at second base and hopefully offer more production at the plate. He could share the position with Ramón Urías, who won a Gold Glove this season at third base but could be bumped by Gunnar Henderson, and rotate to the corner outfield.

Franchy Cordero and Nomar Mazara signed minor league deals earlier this month and will come to camp trying to win backup jobs in the outfield. Josh Lester, who signed on the same day as Mazara at the Winter Meetings, will attempt to make the club in a utility role. All three of them are left-handed hitters.

Terrin Vavra made his major league debut over the summer and will vie for the second base job or a utility role.

Left-handed hitting first baseman Lewin Díaz was a waiver claim from the Pirates.

Frazier is the second player signed to a major league deal during the offseason. Veteran right-hander Kyle Gibson agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract on Dec. 3.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias is seeking another starting pitcher and a backup catcher. He also could acquire a veteran reliever.

The 40-man roster is full, so any major league deals will require a corresponding move.