Jayson Nix signs minor league contract with the Orioles

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles added another piece to the puzzle when they signed Jayson Nix to a minor league deal Tuesday afternoon. The 32-year-old will be earning $750,000 plus an additional $25,000 in incentives.

With experience at all four infield positions, Nix will bring some added depth to the Orioles infield in 2015.

Last season Nix spent time with three different ball clubs (Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals). Between the three teams, Nix batted .120/.169/.157 with a home run and four RBIs in 91 plate appearances.

During his seven years played in the major leagues, Nix batted .212/.282/.345 with 55 doubles, 38 home runs and 130 RBIs.

Defensively speaking, Nix has played best at second base throughout his career owning a .984 fielding percentage and a 10 Rdrs in 133 career games played in that position.

Currently it looks like the Orioles “everyday” lineup will have Manny Machado at third, J.J. Hardy at shortstop, Jonathan Schoop at second, and Chris Davis at first.

At third, the Orioles have Rey Navarro and Jimmy Paredes backing up Machado. Ryan Flaherty has proven to be a solid backup at the shortstop position as well as second base. And, depending on how Davis swings the bat this season, Steve Pearce may find himself splitting time with Davis at first base.

With that being said, Nix will most likely start out the season in Triple-A with the Norfolk Tides. Nix is a player with lackluster batting numbers and sub-par defensive ability. However, he is a player manager Buck Showalter can turn to in a pinch in case infield depth grows thin throughout the 162-game season.