Rays finalize 1-year deal with Pearce
After acquiring outfielder Corey Dickerson in a four-player deal on Thursday, the Tampa Bay Rays continued to be busy, finalizing a one-year contract with infielder/outfielder Steve Pearce.
The #Rays have signed free agent 1B/OF and Lakeland native Steve Pearce (@WayneTwentyOcho) to a one-year contract. pic.twitter.com/fTTYd8cQIC
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) January 29, 2016
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports the deal is valued at $4.75 million, and includes a number of incentives revolving around plate appearances. The slugger will also earn extra cash if he's traded.
Pearce came to an agreement with Tampa Bay on Jan. 21 after spending over three years in the Baltimore Orioles organization, and offers his new club defensive versatility as both an outfielder and first baseman.
The 32-year-old broke out in 2014, hitting .293/.373/.556 with 21 home runs and 49 RBIs in 102 games, but watched as his numbers regressed last season amidst an oblique injury.
Across his nine-year big-league career, Pearce owns a .247/.325/.431 slash line with 53 home runs and 180 RBIs.