After 13 Years, Brian Roberts Leaves The Nest, Signs 1-Year Deal With The Yankees
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Veteran second baseman Brian Roberts has left the nest.
After playing his entire 13-year career with the Orioles, he's agreed to a one-year deal worth $2 million plus incentives with the New York Yankees, according to WJZ's media partner, The Baltimore Sun.
Roberts, 36, completed a four-year, $40 million deal this past season.
Roberts hit .249/.312/.392 this season with eight homers and 39 RBIs in 77 games, the most he's played since 2009.
Roberts played in 115 games over the first 3 ½ years of his four-year contract, sidelined by multiple concussions, back and hip injuries and a hamstring injury he suffered in the third game of this past season that required surgery.
But Roberts played in 77 games over after returning in late June and seemed to be playing his best in the final month of the season. He hit .286/.328/.476 with three homers and six RBIs in his final 15 games. Five of his eight homers came in September.
The Orioles made it clear they wanted to re-sign Roberts, but also acquired second baseman Jemile Weeks in the Jim Johnson trade two weeks ago.
According to the Sun, Roberts would leave the Orioles among the franchise's all-time leaders in stolen bases (278; third), doubles (351; fourth), runs (810; seventh) and hits (1,452; 10th).
Roberts will fill the Yankees' void at second base left by Robinson Cano, who left for a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Seattle Mariners.
