The Orioles have signed outfielder Xavier Paul to a minor league contract with an invite to big league camp in Spring Training, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. The Paragon Sports International client was non-tendered by the Reds on Dec. 2 this year. He had been projected to earn $1MM via arbitration, per MLBTR's Matt Swartz.
Paul, 29 in February, enjoyed a solid season at the plate, batting .244/.339/.402 with seven homers in 239 plate appearances. Paul hit right-handed pitching particularly well in 2013, slashing .253/.349/.426 with all seven of his homers facing opposite-handed pitching. Ultimate Zone Rating and Defensive Runs saved are not optimistic about his defense, however, as both grade him as a below-average left fielder.
So a solid season ..244 and 9 homers? Wow we have lowered our standards of solid
He had a 103 OPS+ last year, thats good for what there signing him for, a 4th OF or organizational depth to replace Chris Dickerson. He hits better than Dickerson, but Dickerson is the better fielder. Can’t complain since is just a minor league deal.
The Orioles already have a bunch of 4th outfielders….they need a 3rd outfielder….but agree, it is just a minor league deal.
I mean it be nice if they could get an 3rd outfielder. Though I’m not a huge fan of going after Choo with the money and years he is asking for and Nelson Cruz does nothing to help the Orioles OBP problems. What the Orioles need is some starting pitchers and people that have a good OBP. I think Davis was the only Oriole with a OBP above .330
Yeah, not a fan of Cruz or Choo either….plus, I think Angelos is still having nightmares about the Albert Belle signing (they’re not still paying him, are they…), so I am sure Cruz and Choo are out). Man, Davis lead the team with OBP? Don’t think that will happen again…not because someone else will produce higher, just do not think Davis will repeat.
Lough is a 3rd outfielder, and if healthy so is Reimold.
OK, I can see that. Sort of the ‘good ole days’ with Lowenstein and Roenicke…unless one of them runs away with the job…
I couldn’t agree more, was thinking the same thing
he put up all those numbers in less than half of a full season’s worth of PAs. double them and he put up a season of .244/.339/.402/.741 with 24 doubles, 14 homers, and 64 RBIs.
Unfortunately that’s not how it works. There’s no way to assume that you can keep that line with more ABs. But I do wish Mr. Paul the best
Standards have dropped with the game leaning more toward pitching in recent years. A decade ago, when the average position player’s line was .268/.337/.430, Paul’s line would’ve been pretty poor.
Last year, the average position player hit .257/.322/.402. Paul’s line was three to five percent better than the league average, depending on if you prefer OPS+ (103) or wRC+ (105).
There are also less PED users in the game so the video game numbers have come back down to earth
There’s difference between solid and super.
O’s just needed another dude named “Xavier” to fill the void left when they traded X. Avery for Morse
What value does Paul bring, other than looking a lot like Matt Kemp?
Paul was a good PH for the reds but was exposed when he received some playing time when Ludwick went down. If he is your 5th OF and strictly used as a PH then you might really like this signing.
Remember when that one guy stole Xavier Paul’s identity in order to play in the Aussie league?
Wow, nice recollection, I had forgotten about that. Weird story.
Extra Point (XP) Xavier Paul was a nice player when he was with my Buccos a couple of years ago. He has limitations, but he can be a pretty good role player and pinch hitter for a team. People bashing on him may be looking at him as if he is a starter or even platoon player. He isn’t: he’s one of the last guys off the bench, he knows it, and he plays hard and can help you with the bat or on the bases when he does play.
Im not bashing the guy. I just think it is odd to say his stats for 2013 were solid. Ibeing a reds fan i hate seeing him go as he is a good ph. But this guy will never be an every day player, he simply doesnt have the tools to compete
The Orioles aren’t signing him to be a every day player either. He’s being brought in as a backup OF and organizational depth. Lough will probably end up playing LF.
I’m thinking Nolan Riemold will be the LF, with Lough coming in the the 8th/9th for Nolan.
Reimold and Urrita will DH if Baltimore were smart.
More big time signings by Dan Duquette! The rival Yankees sign Carlos Beltran and Jacoby Ellsbury and the Orioles counter with castoffs from the Reds, Giants and Marlins. Another 8 game (or more) slide is coming in 2014 for the Birds.
Well at least we got Balfour.
However, I do hear you. I ma not sure what the point of this signing is really.
He’s not a good enough hitter to DH.
His defense is worse than Reimold’s which isn’t good.
No attempt on getting Guti, no attempt on Stubbs.
So, I don’t know what else one can say about it.
How about saying that it’s a freaking minor league signing. I will never understand why people who claim to be O’s fans get so bent out of shape by minor league signings.
Can you be any more of a stereotypical Orioles whiner? I consider myself a knowledgeable O’s fan, and while I’m not a true koolaid drinker I tend to look on the optimistic side. Guys like you make O’s fans look bad. Just don’t say anything, ok?