FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Free agent right-hander Steve Trachsel signed a $3.1 million, one-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, filling a void in the starting rotation left by Kris Benson's injury.
Trachsel, 36, went 15-8 with a 4.97 ERA with the New York Mets in 2006. He reached an agreement with the Orioles on Monday, when the team learned Benson would be lost for at least several months with a torn rotator cuff.
Trachsel will receive $3 million in 2007. There is a $4.75 million club option for 2008, with a $100,000 buyout.
There are also performance bonuses for each year that can earn him an additional $250,000 based on innings pitched.
Trachsel has a 134-143 career record over 14 seasons. He has made at least 30 starts in nine of his last 11 big league seasons and has pitched 200 or more innings seven times.
He will be added to the Orioles' roster Thursday, at which time Baltimore will make a corresponding move to the 40-man roster.
www.espn.com