Orioles Sign Clark To $11M Deal

Five years later, Will Clark finally joined the Baltimore Orioles -- and only because Rafael Palmeiro is back with the Texas Rangers.

Clark replaced the man he once displaced in Texas, agreeing Saturday to an $11 million, two-year contract with Baltimore.

"Five years ago, if you'd have written a script it would have had Rafael going to Texas and I'd have gone to Baltimore," Clark said. "But the roles got reversed and five years later we're back to the same roles."

Clark, who hit .305 with 23 home runs and 102 RBIs for Texas last season, became expendable when the Rangers agreed Tuesday to a $45 million, five-year contract with Palmeiro, the Orioles' first baseman for the past five seasons.

When the Orioles sought a first baseman after the 1993 season, they looked at Clark, but he signed with Texas, causing Palmeiro, also a free agent, to leave the Rangers and sign with Baltimore.

Boston, looking for a first baseman to replace Mo Vaughn, talked with Clark, too. But Baltimore `called him in the middle of the week and "came on like gangbusters," according to Clark's agent, Jeff Moorad.

"The discussions five years ago actually paved the way for the agreement today," Moorad said.

Will Clark is bringing his sweet swing to Camden Yards. (AP)

Clark's agreement capped a busy week for the Orioles. On Tuesday, they agreed to a $65 million, five-year contract with Albert Belle and acquired catcher Charles Johnson in a three-way trade involving the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Baltimore agreed Friday to a $12.5 million, three-year contract with second baseman Delino DeShields and re-signed outfielder B.J. Surhoff for $14 million over three years.

"We're trying to change the tide, the intensity and the way the guys here approach the game," said Frank Wren, the Orioles' new general manager. "I don't think there's a better guy in terms of the way he approaches the game than Will Clark. And that doesn't even touch on his hitting."

Clark said the flurry of changes - and a conversation with Baltimore manager Ray Miller convinced him the Orioles were intent on winning.

"Ray made it apparent that the Orioles wanted me," said Clark. "When you feel wanted it makes you feel better about yourself and it makes you play better."

Clark, a 13-year veteran, rebounded last year after two subpar seasons during which he made five trips to the disabled list. But even though he battled nagging injuries, his intensity never lessened.

"One of my biggest concerns with the club was the way they approached and played the game -- a somewhat lackadaisical approach," Wren said. "The changes we've made were planned and calculated to bring more intensity and change the makeup of the clubhouse."

Clark pronounced himself healthy and said he felt he could duplicate the numbers he posted with Texas this year.

"When you have a player who's produced in the past and you run him out there every day, he's going to produce," Clark said. "I had a little three-year period with a black cloud following me with some nagging injuries, but I'm over that."

Clark, who provides a bridge until prospect Calvin Pickering is ready, receives a $1 million signing bonus and salaries of $4.5 million and $5.5 million, with $500,000 of the first year's pay and $750,000 of the second year's deferred without interest.

He can earn an additional $900,000 per year in performance bonuses: $200,000 each for 115 and 120 games, and $250,000 each for 130 and 140 games.

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