THE SIDELINES : Orioles to Pay Olson $270,000

American League Rookie of the Year Gregg Olson has agreed to a one-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles that calls for a base salary of $270,000, almost four times what he made last year, the team announced.

“You try to be fair with players who perform well, and Gregg was excellent,” Orioles General Manager Roland Hemond said. “He had a remarkable season. For a young fellow just out of college the previous June to be in a closer role in a pennant race is quite an achievement.”

Olson’s attorney, Jeff Moorad of Los Angeles, said the 23-year-old right-hander could earn another $145,000 in incentives, raising his possible salary to $415,000.

The contract makes Olson the highest paid second-year player in Orioles history.

Olson set an American League record for saves by a rookie last year with 27, breaking the old mark of 23 set by Doug Corbett of the Minnesota Twins in 1980. Olson was 5-2 with a 1.69 ERA in 64 appearances last season. He did not allow a run in his last 21 appearances, setting a club record for consecutive scoreless appearances.