BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles finally snared their first free agent of the offseason, agreeing Tuesday to a $9.6 million, two-year contract with former AL Cy Young Award winner Pat Hentgen.

Hentgen, 32, went 15-12 with a 4.72 ERA in 33 starts with the St. Louis Cardinals this year. He struck out 118 and allowed 89 walks in 194 1/3 innings.

	Hentgen

The right-hander brings 120 career wins and much-needed leadership.

Later Tuesday, the Orioles reached agreement on a four-year deal with free agent first baseman David Segui, who began his career in Baltimore a decade ago.

Segui will receive $28 million over four years, according to a source who spoke on the condition of annonymity.

The Orioles rotation contained only two proven starters -- Jose Mercedes and Sidney Ponson -- following the loss of staff ace Mike Mussina, who signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees. The Orioles also are without Scott Erickson, who will likely miss the season after arm surgery.

Until Hentgen signed, Baltimore's only significant transaction was acquiring minor league first baseman Jay Gibbons from Toronto in last week's draft of players not on 40-man rosters.

"Just when everyone thought we were sleeping, we woke up," said Syd Thrift, the Orioles vice president of baseball operations, who hinted that Baltimore might soon bring back free agent shortstop Mike Bordick.

Hentgen spent his entire career with the Blue Jays before being traded to the Cardinals last November. This was essentially the first time he was a free agent, and Hentgen chose the Orioles after talking with five different teams.

Thrift said negotiations were initiated during the winter meetings in Dallas last week.

"It's funny how free agency works," Hentgen said. "I never really thought the Orioles and I would fit, but it worked out. It's a comforting feeling knowing where I'll be the next two seasons."

Hentgen gets $4.5 million in each of the next two seasons, and the Orioles have a $6 million option for 2003 with a $600,000 buyout. Hentgen can earn more through performance bonuses.

"If he's alive, with his track record, he'll be making $6 million a year," said Hentgen's agent, Bob LaMonte.

Hentgen said he picked the Orioles in part because he wanted to return to the American League after a one-year absence.

"I was anxious to get back to the AL. I just think that in my heart I'm an American League pitcher," Hentgen said. "It's good to have someone hit for me. I ended too many innings last year."

Baltimore was a particularly appealing because of the huge crowds that regularly fill Camden Yards and because the team has a reputation for catering to its athletes.

"It's a class organization with great players," Hentgen said. "When you see B.J. Surhoff crying over going into a playoff situation in Atlanta, you think, 'Baltimore has got to be pretty nice.' "

Surhoff was traded to the Braves last July as part of a house-cleaning process that signified the beginning of a long overdue rebuilding process. Bordick was also dealt in the purge.

Hentgen, whose 120 career wins is by far the most on the current Baltimore staff, could start on Opening Day. He also plans to provide stability on a rebuilt staff that will include several relatively inexperienced arms.

"I think the young pitchers can look to me for experience and knowledge," Hentgen said.

"We needed more than just a starting pitch. We needed someone who could bring a lot to the table other than just pitching," Thrift said. "He brings leadership, too."

And a potent right arm.

Hentgen won the AL Cy Young Award in 1996 while with the Toronto Blue Jays, when he went 20-10 with a 3.22 ERA. He led the league in innings pitched in 1996 and 1997 and has averaged over 30 starts over the last nine years.

"When you look at service time in the league and some of the things I've done over my career, I bring some experience to the rotation, no doubt," Hentgen said.

In another move Tuesday, the Orioles and pitcher Jason Johnson agreed to a $350,000, one-year contract. The right-hander can earn another $450,000 in performance incentives.

Johnson, who earned $300,000 this year, had been eligible for salary arbitration. He went 1-10 with a 7.20 ERA in 25 appearances with Baltimore.