Orioles sign infielder Freddy Galvis

The Orioles today announced that they have signed infielder Freddy Galvis to a one-year contract for the 2021 season.

Galvis, 31, appeared in 47 games for the Cincinnati Reds in 2020, making 31 starts at shortstop and 11 at second base. He posted a combined .977 fielding percentage between the two positions. He hit .220/.308/.404 (31-for-141) with seven home runs, 18 runs scored, and 16 RBI. In his last full season, in 2019, Galvis hit a career-high 23 home runs and recorded a career-high 70 RBI in 147 games, while slashing .260/.296/.438 (145-for-557). He has been a Gold Glove finalist at shortstop three different times in his career (2016, 2017, 2018) and was the Philadelphia Phillies recipient of the 2017 Heart and Hustle Award.

A native of Venezuela, Galvis was originally signed by the Philadelphia Phillies on July 2, 2006, as an International free agent. He made his Major League debut on April 5, 2012, and has spent time with the Phillies, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, and Cincinnati Reds during his nine-year MLB career. Galvis has appeared in 801 career games (779 starts) at shortstop, 142 games (114 starts) at second base, and 27 games (19 starts) at third base in his career. He led the National League in fielding percentage by a shortstop in three-straight seasons, in each of 2016 (.987), 2017 (.989), and 2018 (.986), and his .989 fielding percentage in 2017 was tops in the majors by a shortstop. He appeared in all 162 games in back-to-back seasons in 2017 and 2018 and led the NL in starts by a shortstop in both 2016 (153) and 2017 (155). Since his debut in 2012, his .984 fielding percentage as a shortstop ranks second-best among active players. Galvis is a career .247/.291/.385 (880-for-3565) hitter with 156 doubles, 26 triples, and 95 home runs.

To make room on the 40-man roster, infielder/outfielder Chris Shaw has been designated for assignment.