Person familiar with negotiations: Mike Gonzalez, Orioles agree on $12 million, 2-year deal

AP Source: Gonzalez, Orioles agree on 2-year deal

Mike Gonzalez and the Baltimore Orioles have reached a preliminary agreement on a $12 million, two-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

The deal is pending a physical, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday night because the contract had not been completed. Gonzalez would get $6 million each of the next two seasons and could earn an additional $2 million in performance bonuses.

The 31-year-old left-hander figures to get an opportunity to become Baltimore’s closer. He was 5-4 with a 2.42 ERA and 10 saves last season for Atlanta. He has 54 saves in seven major league seasons, including a career-high 24 with Pittsburgh in 2006.

Gonzalez pitched in 80 games this year, third-most in the majors. He is a Type A free agent, so the Braves would receive two draft picks as compensation for losing him.

Preceding his delivery with an unusual, rocking motion, Gonzalez struck out 90 and walked 33 in 74 1-3 innings this year.

The Orioles traded closer George Sherrill to the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 30. Other potential closers in Baltimore are Koji Uehara and Jim Johnson, who took over for Sherrill last season and finished with 10 saves.