Luke Scott signed a one-year, $4.05 million dollar contract with the Orioles on Tuesday, the majority of which will be paid to him during a torrid three week period in May. Scott was arbitration eligible but reached agreement with the club before both sides were forced to settle through an official hearing.
Scott spent a limited amount of time at first base after Aubrey Huff was traded in late '09, but he is primarily the Orioles designated hitter. The 31 year-old righty started in left field for the O's in '08, but he was supplanted in the outfield by rookie Nolan Reimold.
Scott hit .258 and led the team with 25 home runs last season, though his bat was prone to lengthy cold streaks.
Another arbitration eligible Oriole, Jeremy Guthrie, has yet to sign with the Orioles. According to MASN's Roch Kubatko, the club has offered the 30 year-old pitcher $2.3 million for 2010, while Guthrie's rep has countered with a $3.625 million request.
With a 10-17 record, Guthrie led the American League in losses last season, but he also pitched 200 innings for the Orioles, who were desperate to keep their bullpen from being overexposed.
The two sides will work on an agreement before going to a hearing. If they go to arbitration, Guthrie will be awarded either the $2.3 million or the $3.625 million amount. Both sides will try to avoid the awkward arbitration hearing if possible.
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