Headlines

  • Mariners Designate Ken Giles For Assignment
  • Tigers Transfer Tarik Skubal To 60-Day Injured List
  • Orioles To Promote DL Hall
  • Michael Brantley Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery
  • Tigers Fire General Manager Al Avila
  • Matt Carpenter Expected To Miss 6-8 Weeks With Foot Fracture
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2022
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Orioles Sign Matt Antonelli

By Mark Polishuk | November 21, 2011 at 3:15pm CDT

The Orioles announced that they have signed Matt Antonelli to a Major League contract.  Antonelli was taken 17th overall by the Padres in the 2006 draft and has 65 Major League plate appearances to his name, all in 2008 with San Diego.  The 26-year-old posted an .847 OPS in the Nationals' system last year, playing almost all his games with Triple-A Syracuse.  Antonelli was originally drafted as a second baseman but spent time at second, third, shortstop and left field last year and is expected to compete for playing time on the infield next season.

“We are pleased to bring Matt to the organization,” GM Dan Duquette said in a statement. “He is a versatile major league player who has a good offensive approach and strong defensive skills at both third and second base.”

MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli was the first to report the signing, with Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun noting that Antonelli had signed a Major League deal (both Twitter links).

Share 1 Retweet 20 Send via email0

Baltimore Orioles Transactions Matt Antonelli

New Labor Deal To Be Announced Tomorrow
Main
How The Top AL MVP Finishers Were Acquired
View Comments (30)

Comments

  1. AndyKeatts

    11 years ago

    Well that kinda sucks. 

    Reply
  2. nats2012

    11 years ago

    Matt would make a good utility player but not a starting player on a MLB team.

    Reply
  3. azdsnd

    11 years ago

    Dude OBP’d .390 last year.  Unorthodox move, but not completely crazy for a team looking to find a cheap diamond in the rough.  At least they signed a good IL hitter rather than falling prey to some PCL mirage.

    Reply
  4. Lefty

    11 years ago

    Matt Antonelli is expected to compete for Baltimore’s third base job next season.
    What exactly about Antonelli indicates to Oriole Management that he can compete for the Third Base job in 2012. If you go to his Wikipedia Bio all it talks about his hitting or lack thereof. If this is the best that the O’s can do after a week’s worth of GM meetings, the O’s are in trouble! What’s Duquette’s spin on this going to be, he was blocked by Zimmerman? Blocked by Anthony Rendon? Duquette must have some sense of humor if thinks this signing is a good thing!

    Reply
    • philliesfan136

      11 years ago

      There is almost no chance for Antonelli to be a starter at this point, so I wouldn’t worry about that (unless Duquette is stupid). He could be a solid utility guy though and as another poster said, they could just be looking for a diamond in the rough. This is by no means a big signing that you should worry about because Antonelli will likely just be a bench player.

      Reply
      • Lefty

        11 years ago

        I am just jaded Philliesfan. I am not that worried, a bit concerned though.
        The least they could have done was sign some halfway decent player, to give us diehard fans something to hope for in 2012 and then signed Matt.

        Reply
        • philliesfan136

          11 years ago

          I understand how you feel. 

          Maybe they’re gonna add a few minor players then go for better players? Then again Duquette did say in his MLBN interview that he and the rest of the FO plan on building through the draft, so you can’t really expect them to be that big of spenders in FA.

        • Jeff

          11 years ago

          Lefty, you realize it’s November 18th, right?

          There’s plenty of time left.  Relax.

        • danistheguy

          11 years ago

          He still has to make the club out of spring training.  If he sucks, he’ll be released.  Not that big of a deal, man.  Every club makes depth signings like this.

  5. Bleed_Orange

    11 years ago

    This has to be one of the oddest signings ever

    Reply
    • not_brooks

      11 years ago

      A team that refuses to spend money on the free agent market, and has no second or third baseman, signs a player with experience at second and third base on the cheap.

      What’s so odd about that?

      Reply
      • Lefty

        11 years ago

        Cheese and Rice almighty Brooks what about Robert Andino, Brendan Harris, Ryan Adams, Chris Davis, Mark Reynolds and…. I mean for cripes sake, in 2010 we had to put up with Scott Moore and Julio Lugo. The whole Oriole minor league system is littered with players like Matt. I mean it’s not like I don’t want give Antonelli a hardy hello, but this is signing ridiculous.

        Reply
        • mstrchef13

          11 years ago

          Harris can’t hit. Adams can’t field. Neither Davis or Reynolds can play second base. How can you say that the organization is “littered” with players like Antonelli? Name me ten players in the entire freaking system who put up OBPs 100 points higher than their BA for two seasons, let alone their entire career. The team is completely devoid of OBP, which has been one of my biggest gripes of recent memory. In 2010 Josh Bell put up a K/BB rate of 53/2 and in 2009 Robert Andino put up an OPS of .562 in over 200 PA.

          I hope that Duquette makes a dozen more signings like this, adding some OBP to the bench and to Norfolk. Or perhaps you’d rather have Pedro Florimon competing for the utility spot.

        • Lefty

          11 years ago

          I hope that Duquette makes a dozen more signings like this…
          Chef, I don’t know what you have cooking in the kitchen, but you might want to open the windows to clear the air. After that, go into your refridgerator and grab all that Orange Kool Aid you stored up and pour all of it down the kitchen sink.
          Now on a serious level, I don’t even know if this cat can field, I know damn well Andino can. I am one of the few staunch Andino supporters. Furthermore, we have enough AAAA guys on the 40 man roster. We really didn’t need another. If Duquette was serious about providing a solid bench, he should have gone after Ramon Santiago or someone similar. All week in Milwaukee and the best he could come up with is Antonelli? That’s just great.

        • cacavolante

          11 years ago

          i like the signing. no risk/ decent upside. i dont know why this is making you so upset.

        • Andrew Ochs

          11 years ago

          There is a difference between his OBP in minors and what he can do in the majors.

        • mstrchef13

          11 years ago

          I believe that, in general, walk rate is one of the few stats that remains consistent as a player makes his way through the levels of baseball. His OBP will go down at the major league level if he doesn’t hit as well, but the differential between AVG and OBP will likely stay the same.

          I’ve read that he was hurt in 2009 and 2010. His callup in 2008 didn’t go well, but he still had a big OBP differential. Besides, as someone on an Orioles blog pointed out, hitting .193 in San Diego is like hitting .250 anywhere else.

        • Rabbitov

          11 years ago

          How is andino, harris, adams, davis and reynolds anything like Antonelli?  They are completely different. 

  6. FS54

    11 years ago

    The only time I will go to Eutaw St. next season is when Seattle is in town to watch Ichiro.

    Reply
  7. The_Porcupine

    11 years ago

    Really?!?!  Really?!?!

    Reply
  8. Rabbitov

    11 years ago

    Very odd reactions by posters on this thread.  Duquette said he was going to do some moves this week to “fill out the bench.”  He will compete for a bench spot.  The only way I am going to be pissed is if Miclat is chosen in the Rule 5. 

    Reply
    • Jeff

      11 years ago

      Yeah I’m with you.  People are too impatient these days.

      Reply
    • danistheguy

      11 years ago

      Yep, exactly.  It’s as if people reading a nerdy baseball site don’t understand typical depth moves.  Not sure how that’s possible.

      Reply
  9. Johnnie

    11 years ago

    Matt Antonelli sucks.

    Reply
  10. Taylor Haberle

    11 years ago

    Congrats to one of professional baseball’s few bloggers. 

    Reply
  11. danistheguy

    11 years ago

    Just a depth move, folks.  Every team does it.  Nothing to see here, thanks.  I’ll take him on the 40-man roster over another infielder that is currently on it like Pedro Florimon.

    Reply
  12. WolandJR

    11 years ago

    Oh, that was to a major league contract?!?! What is the point of giving this guy guaranteed money? I am sure that DD could have waited a month or two and signed him to a minor league deal. Sure, he has some potential, but not enough to warrant guaranteed money. Add that to his non-existent record of success and this move is totally puzzling.

    Reply
    • BaseballWizard

      11 years ago

      Major League contract does not necessarily mean guaranteed money.  If I had to guess, it will be a split contract with a Major and minor league side.  If he doesn’t make the team out of spring training, he can be optioned/outrighted and/or released at almost no cost to the Orioles.  One reason the Orioles may choose a Major League contract to a minor league one is to protect Antonelli from being taken in the Rule 5 draft in a few weeks.

      Reply
  13. JohnnyHamer

    11 years ago

    Why are we not looking at Willingham for LF?

    Reply
  14. haymaker9

    11 years ago

    Some strong responses here to a relatively no-risk, inexpensive signing.  Fringe players making near major league minimum are about as expendable as a waiter making $2.13 an hour.  No big loss to the Orioles if he doesn’t work out, but he could be a pleasant surprise if he does. 

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Mariners Designate Ken Giles For Assignment

    Tigers Transfer Tarik Skubal To 60-Day Injured List

    Orioles To Promote DL Hall

    Michael Brantley Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery

    Tigers Fire General Manager Al Avila

    Matt Carpenter Expected To Miss 6-8 Weeks With Foot Fracture

    Braves Select Top Prospect Vaughn Grissom, Activate Kirby Yates

    2022-23 MLB Free Agent Power Rankings: August Edition

    Tim Anderson Out 4-6 Weeks Due To Torn Ligament In Hand

    Blue Jays Sign Jackie Bradley Jr., Designate Matt Peacock

    Chris Sale Fractures Wrist, Will Miss Remainder Of Season

    Cubs To Release Jason Heyward At End Of Season

    Cubs Claim Franmil Reyes From Guardians

    Fernando Tatis Jr. To Begin Rehab Assignment

    Rockies Claim Dinelson Lamet, Designate Ashton Goudeau

    Cubs Release Andrelton Simmons

    Alex Kirilloff To Undergo Season-Ending Surgery

    Guardians Designate Franmil Reyes For Assignment

    Justin Verlander Reaches 130 Innings Pitched, Vests 2023 Player Option

    Red Sox Release Jackie Bradley Jr.

    Recent

    Mariners Designate Ken Giles For Assignment

    Tigers Transfer Tarik Skubal To 60-Day Injured List

    Orioles To Promote DL Hall

    Marlins Outright Billy Hamilton

    Michael Brantley Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery

    Big Hype Prospects: Chourio, De La Cruz, Harrison, Tovar, Tiedemann

    Mets Hoping To Retain Brandon Nimmo

    Ricketts: Cubs “Making Progress” In Rebuild, Plan To Be “Active” In Free Agency

    Braves Place Max Fried On Concussion-Related Injured List

    Minor MLB Transactions: Jackson, Sharp

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Cubs Decline To Trade Contreras, Happ
    • Giants Keep Rodon, Pederson
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • MLB Player Chats
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2022
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version