O Positive?

MLB.com reports that the Orioles are set to sign free-agent catcher Pudge Rodriguez and outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. to one-year deals for, respectively, $7 M and $1.5-2 M.

Cruz would apparently take over for recently departed Chris Singleton in center although he can play all three spots. Jay Gibbons and Gary Matthews Jr. should probably play the corners, unless a better defensive player is needed, in which case Melvin Mora will be added to the mix. (Marty Cordova should just be used as a DH.)

These guys should be big upgrades over what Baltimore had at their positions in 2002, but after winning only 67 games last year will it matter? Given Pudge's injury history and Cruz's underachieving, their signings could turn into busts. But at least the market minimizes their exposure to one year and under $10 M.