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Local product and free-agent right-hander Gavin Floyd, who is coming off season-ending elbow surgery, is close to signing a one-year deal with an undisclosed club not believed to be the Orioles, according to an industry source.
The Orioles' interest in the 30-year-old Floyd, a Mount St. Joseph grad and Severna Park native, dates to his prep days. The team's most recent pursuit of the former White Sox pitcher included a meeting with Floyd this week during the winter meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Since it is unclear whether Floyd would be ready to pitch by Opening Day, he is expected to receive an incentive-laden deal.
Floyd underwent Tommy John surgery in May, when he also had a flexor tendon repaired. He was scheduled to begin a mound progression early this month, MLBTradeRumors.com reported in November.
The Orioles have been following Floyd's progress over the past few months, and Floyd came to the winter meetings from his home in nearby Clearwater, Fla., this week to meet with club representatives.
Back in 2001, the Orioles just missed out on drafting Floyd out of high school when he was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies with the fourth overall pick. The Orioles had the seventh pick that season.
Floyd made just five starts last season for the White Sox before being shelved, going 0-4 with a 5.18 ERA, but he recorded double-digit wins in each of the previous five seasons. His best season came in 2008, when he went 17-8 with a 3.84 ERA for a White Sox team that won the American League Central that year.
Floyd is 70-70 with a 4.48 ERA in 199 career games (187 starts) over 10 seasons with the White Sox and Phillies.