The Seahawks have finally made some noise in the free agent market.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter the Seahawks have added former New England Patriots tight end Chris Baker with a two year, $4.75 million contract to be their primary backup at the position. Baker will also be heavily used in two tight end sets.

Seattle recently lost out on Baker’s former teammate, Ben Watson, who signed a three year, $12 million contract to be the starter in Cleveland.

This move gives the Seahawks more flexibility to utilize two tight end sets that offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates likes to use in his offense. The Seahawks were ranked dead last in the use of two tight end sets in the league in 2009. In contrast, Bates’ offense used more two tight end sets then anyone else in the league when he was the offensive coordinator in Denver.

Baker’s most productive season came in 2007 with the Jets when he had 41 catches for 409 yards, three touchdowns, 10.4 yards per catch average, and 29 first downs.

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Sat @ 2:15 pm – The deal is final, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Two years, $4.75 million are the terms.

1:40 pm – In what might be an indication the Seattle Seahawks are on the verge of adding their first free agent, tight end Chris Baker has decided to spend an extra day visiting with the team. After losing out on Ben Watson as an upgrade at the position, the Seahawks are not likely to let Baker leave without his signature on a contract.

The Seahawks are anything but cash strapped, with the richest owner in professional sports, making their inactivity a week into the free agency period somewhat surprising.

This is not to say they have not had their feelers out on the marketplace, as they have had 10 visits scheduled or planned so far this off-season. They have also had marquee restricted free agent Brandon Marshall in for a two day visit, indicating that head coach Pete Carroll is certainly interested in making a big splash in his first off-season with the Seattle.

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