Baltimore made a smart decision in dealing pending free agent Sidney Ponson to San Francisco this summer when the Orioles' attempts to sign him to an extension failed. Excited by his breakout performance, the Giants gave up a handsome package in return for Ponson. However, San Francisco didn't lock him into a contract after the season, and Ponson became a free agent, opening the door for the Orioles to bring him back to Baltimore. After testing the market for several months, Ponson agreed to a three-year, $22.5M contract with the Orioles yesterday.

While there's been some question as to whether the Orioles were bidding against themselves with this acquisition, I tend to approve of the signing. The 27-year-old isn't particularly dominant, but with a decent defense behind him, the groundball pitcher should be able to maintain the type of effectiveness he displayed in 2003 throughout the course of this contract, considering the refinements in his control. Baltimore needed a frontline starter to place in front of their less experience pitchers, and Ponson provides them with a homegrown leader for their staff.