The Baltimore Orioles continued their lineup makeover Monday, signing free-agent catcher Javy Lopez to a three-year contract.

The deal, which is contingent on Lopez passing a physical next week, is worth $22.5 million US.

"Javy Lopez provides us with a solid catcher and another explosive bat for our lineup," Mike Flanagan, the Orioles vice-president of baseball operations, said in a statement.

Lopez is the second major free-agent acquisition for the Orioles this offseason. Baltimore came to terms with all-star shortstop Miguel Tejada on a six-year, $72 million contract last week.

The Orioles also reportedly remain interested in signing free-agent outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, formerly of the Montreal Expos.

Lopez entered the free-agent market at the right time. The former Atlanta Braves catcher set the major league single-season record for most homers by a catcher by smashing 43 in 2003.

The Ponce, Puerto Rico, native also posted a careeer-best .328 batting average drove in 109 runs.

He did all this despite playing only 129 games due to injury.

Lopez has a .287 batting average with 214 homers and 694 RBIs over his 12 seasons with the Braves.

Brook Fordyce, Geronimo Gil and Robert Machado all caught for the Orioles last season. Fordyce and Machado are already gone, meaning Gil is expected to contend for the backup position next season.

with files from Sports Network