The Orioles signed outfielder Jay Payton, who played for the Oakland A’s last season.

Payton: .296/.325/.418, 32 doubles, 3 triples, 10 homeruns, 59 RBI, 8 stolen bases

Cost: 2 years/$9.5 million

Grade: C-

I can see this deal going one of two ways. If the O’s don’t acquire another outfielder and Payton is the starting left fielder, I would grade this deal as a D. If we do manage to get someone better to play left field (Marcus Thames?) and Payton becomes the 4th outfielder/center field platoon, then I would grade this signing a C+. Payton would be good in the second scenerio, albeit a very expensive option. Payton plays good defense and shows the occasional pop. He has some speed, but doesn’t have much patience at the plate. Lets hope that the Front Office can trade Rodrigo Lopez and get back a real left fielder so they can make this signing look good. (Or at least better.)