The Orioles are next in MLBTR’s 2013 Contract Issues series:
Eligible For Free Agency (3)
- Nick Johnson - Johnson has four home runs already, but his injury history means he's a candidate for another incentive-based contract. He won't obtain a qualifying offer from the Orioles, nor will any of the team's other free agents.
- Endy Chavez - Chavez, who is now on the disabled list, has played in just 20 games and has an OPS below .350.
- Ronny Paulino - Paulino, 31, continues to find work as a backup catcher. He's likely to sign a one-year deal next offseason.
Contract Options (4)
- Mark Reynolds: $11MM club option with a $500K buyout. Reynolds has two homers and a .661 OPS, so the Orioles figure to decline this option.
- Kevin Gregg: $6MM club option vests with 50 games finished in 2012. Gregg isn't a $6MM pitcher, so the Orioles can be expected to decline this option assuming it doesn't vest.
- Matt Lindstrom: $4MM club option with a $200K buyout. Lindstrom has pitched well in his first 13 outings. If he keeps this up, the Orioles will be tempted by this option following the season.
- Luis Ayala: $1MM club option with a $100K buyout. Ayala has been effective through 24 1/3 innings, as his 1.85 ERA shows. Expect the Orioles to exercise this option if the right-hander's success continues.
Arbitration Eligible (13)
- First time: Brian Matusz, Tommy Hunter, Nolan Reimold, Taylor Teagarden, Chris Davis, Troy Patton, Jason Berken, Matt Wieters
- Second time: Robert Andino, Dana Eveland
- Third time: Jim Johnson, Darren O'Day
- Fourth time: Jason Hammel
The Orioles are up against a large class of arbitration eligible players led by first-timers such as Wieters. The switch-hitting catcher could see his salary rise to $4MM or so next season if his strong platform year continues. Johnson's on track for a major raise and Hammel will enjoy a pay increase as well. Eveland, on the other hand, could be non-tendered. Berken has already been up and down from Triple-A twice, but he needs another stint in the Major Leagues to assure himself of arbitration eligibility.
2013 Payroll Obligation
The Orioles have committed $53MM to next year's payroll, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts. They've spent approximately $85MM in both of the past two seasons, which means executive VP of baseball operations Dan Duquette could have as much as $30MM or so to work with in the offseason.
Depending on how many spaces the team needs on the 40-man to protect potential Rule 5 selections (although given the state of the farm system that might be a big zero), Berken and Teagarden could be a non-tender possibilities. I don’t expect Chavez and Johnson to be back, but I can see Paulino back. Reynolds and Gregg are definitely gone (Gregg could be gone midseason if he continues to pitch well).
Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that the Red Sox would be willing to trade within the division. If the O’s and Sox could work out a deal for Youkilis (who would be a perfect fit given the current state of the O’s 3B situation), can I assume that Youk’s option for 2013 follows him? If so, then technically he wouldn’t be a rental, we could excercise the admittedly expensive option for 2013 if he shows himself to be healthy the rest of this season, and then in 2014 they can decide to keep him and move him to 1B (assuming that Machado is ready to move Hardy to 3B by then and Chris Davis is still erratic at first). What say you, fans? What would it take to pry the God of Walks away from Boston, and would it be worth it?
No “horse trading” with those Red Sox Types Mr. Chef.
I want Volquez and Headley.
As for Chris Davis, someone has been working with him and he’s steadily improving at first base. I still feel he has a major league bat, but he does swing at bad pitches with RISP. I think he presses too much, he loves that high fastball, he can’t hit, but he loves it.
I’d like Headley and Volquez, but at what cost? My concern about Headley is that Kouzmanoff looked like a guy who would thrive once he got out of SD but he has shown this not to be the case. Did SD trade for Volquez with the intention of moving him? Plus, he’s leading the NL in walks and hasn’t pitched a full season since 2008.
If we could get Headley and Kyle Blanks for Tillman, Mahoney, and Bridwell, then I’d be a happy Chef.
I didn’t realize Volquez had that many walks.
His WHIP still isn’t that bad 1.3 or 1.4
Still even with that being the case, I would love for the O’s to gamble here with Volquez.
PS Tommy Hunter smells. He simply can’t keep the ball down
We simply need another pitcher so solidify the bullpen.
There’s no other answer, the O’s simply must do it!
I like Volquez, have him on my fantasy team. Just not sure that he’d be much good pitching in OPACY. Of course, he can’t be much worse than Hunter right now. Nor could you. At least you’re lefthanded. That gets you two free points.
Kyle is done for the year and we don’t trade Volquez we can trade Headley what’s your offer for Headley.
I know Blanks is done for the year, but I want him anyway. Offer for both would be Parker Bridwell (#4 prospect in the system, and rated just outside the Top 100 on some lists this preseason), Chris Tillman (24 year old RHSP who needs a change of scenery and would do well in Petco), and Ryan Adams (good hitting 2B but weak defensively so Showalter won’t play him). That’s my starting point.