Orioles sign Chris Parmelee, Dane De La Rosa to minor league deals

The Orioles found a left-handed hitting outfielder today, signing former first-round pick Chris Parmelee to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. The club also announced that it signed right-hander Dane De La Rosa to a minor league deal, and it confirmed the Steve Johnson signing that was reported a few days ago. They also receive invitations to spring training. Parmelee has been on the Orioles' radar for more than a month. He declined an outright assignment to Triple-A Rochester and became a free agent after the Twins designated him for assignment on Dec. 13 to make room for pitcher Ervin Santana on their 40-man roster. Parmelee, who turns 27 next month, cleared waivers for a second time. It also happened in March. Parmelee, who's represented by agent Scott Boras, is a career .271/.363/.453 hitter in nine minor league seasons. He was the Twins' opening day right fielder in 2013, but hasn't been able to establish himself in the majors. The 20th overall pick in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft, Parmelee is a career .249/.317/.392 hitter in parts of four seasons. He batted .355/.443/.592 with six doubles, four home runs and 14 RBIs in 21 games in 2011. "Parmelee has a good bat and he can play a couple of different positions," said executive vice president Dan Duquette. "He showed some promise. I think that he's got a good swing for our ballpark. "He can play right field and he can also play first base. Over two years experience in the big leagues. He's gotten some pretty solid results. His work in Triple-A is really good." Parmelee is a career .295/.395/.530 hitter in parts of three Triple-A seasons. He hit 17 home runs in 64 games in 2012. "He's shown more power in the minors than he's been able to put together in the big leagues," Duquette said. "He's got some good complementary skills for our ballclub. He's a left-handed hitter who can play a couple of positions." Parmelee actually is a career .325/.366/.494 hitter against left-handers in 77 major league at-bats, and a .225/.282/.335 hitter in 173 at-bats against right-handers. De La Rosa turns 32 on Feb. 1 and is listed at 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds. He was 6-1 with a 2.86 ERA, 1.161 WHIP and 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings over 75 appearances with the Angels in 2013, but he underwent knee surgery last year and appeared in only three games, allowing three runs and three hits with three walks in 2 1/3 innings. "Dane De La Rosa had a breakout season with the Angels in 2013," Duquette said. "He has a good fastball and he also has a good curveball. Knee surgery in 2014 sidelined him and he's recovered from it. "He's a great big guy. Pretty impressive. He had a really good year in 2013. He's got some talent." Johnson, recovered from surgery to shave a bone spur behind his right shoulder, "should be in position to compete for a job in the spring," Duquette said. Johnson's role will be determined later. "He's been a swingman," Duquette said. "I think that will probably be determined by the needs of the pitching staff, really. "All three have contributed in the major leagues and they all could make a contribution to this year's club." After signing infielder Ryan Flaherty to a 2015 contract last night, the Orioles are trying to reach agreements with more of their arbitration-eligible players before hearing dates are announced next month. Bud Norris, Zach Britton, Miguel Gonzalez, Steve Pearce and Alejandro De Aza still need contracts. "We're still working on that," Duquette said. "We're working pretty hard on those. Hopefully we will." Duquette again declined comment on the Blue Jays' pursuit of him as president and CEO, saying he wasn't going to talk about it.