Dan Evans, Zaun's agent, has been busy finalizing the deal for Japanese pitcher Kenshin Kawakami, who agreed to terms this week with the Atlanta Braves. It is expected that Evans and MacPhail will resolve the Zaun deal by the end of the week.
O's, Ray agree
The Orioles avoided arbitration with reliever Chris Ray yesterday, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $850,000 that includes several reachable incentive clauses.
Ray, who turned 27 on Monday, missed all of last season after undergoing ligament-reconstruction surgery on his right elbow in August 2007.
Around the horn
The Orioles signed former New York Yankees outfielder Justin Christian to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Christian, 28, made his major league debut last season, going 10-for-40 (.250) with six RBIs and seven steals in 24 games for New York.
The Orioles are seeking another right-handed bat and an option at first base, and Ty Wigginton is at the top of the team's wish list. However, Wigginton, a 31-year-old who is a career .285 hitter and had 23 homers for the Houston Astros last year, is seeking a two-year deal and the Orioles would prefer a one-year contract, according to a source.
Brian Matusz, the first-round pick in the 2008 draft, will be at major league spring training as part of the major league deal he signed with the club.
