Baltimore ? The Orioles extended a contract offer to Sidney Ponson, who is second in the AL in wins and set to become a free agent after the season.

Ponson (13-5, 3.67 ERA) is enjoying a breakthrough season. The right-hander has never finished with a winning record in the majors and was 41-53 lifetime before this year.

The Orioles and Ponson’s agent, Barry Praver, would not reveal specifics of the offer. But it’s most likely a multiyear deal that would substantially increase the $4.25 million he’s making this season.

Ponson would prefer to stay with the Orioles, the only organization he has pitched for. The contract offer would indicate that Baltimore doesn’t want him to get away.

“It shows they want me here,” Ponson said.

Orioles manager Mike Hargrove said he was the glad the process to sign the pitcher had started.

“Where it goes, I don’t know,” he said. “It’s just the first salvo.”

The possibility remains that Ponson could be traded before the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline. Regardless, Ponson plans to conduct business as usual during the negotiations.

“My agent’s job is to talk to the those guys, and it’s my job to pitch,” he said.

Ponson has won 12 of his last 15 starts and is 3-0 with a 2.31 ERA in July.

His best season before this was in 1999, his second year in the majors, when he went 12-12. His 13 wins this year is one more than he had in the past two seasons combined.

Baltimore's Sidney Ponson delivers a pitch against Anaheim. The Orioles' pitcher, who defeated the Angels, 8-4, Saturday at Camden Yards in Baltimore, has been offered a contract by the team. Ponson can become a free agent at the end of the season.