The Orioles officially announced the signing of Cuban lefty Ariel Miranda yesterday, and executive VP of baseball operations Dan Duquette sat down with the media to discuss that and other matters, as Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun was among those to report.
- Regarding Miranda, Duquette said that the team is “hoping he can help us maybe later this year or sometime next year.” He added that Miranda’s bonus checked in below the $800K that the team previously committed to Dariel Alvarez.
- Outfielder Alejandro De Aza has already drawn trade interest since being designated for assignment, per Duquette. “We have some depth on our left-handed hitting side of the roster and we’re going to see if his contract has value with some other clubs,” said Duquette. “There’s a couple of clubs that were interested in him.” The contract is the issue with De Aza, of course, along with the fact that he is not off to a fast start at the plate. De Aza, 31, has enough of a track record to be a strong option for some teams, but he is playing on a $5MM salary this year.
- Dylan Bundy’s MRI showed nothing more than inflammation in his shoulder, Duquette also said. Needless to say, that’s good news for the O’s and their prized young right, who is still not far removed from Tommy John surgery.
The contract is the issue with De Aza, of course, along with the fact that he is not off to a fast start at the plate.
But,but,but last December of 2014
“De Aza over the last three years has been a very similar player to Nick
Markakis,” Duquette said. “If you take a look at his overall
contribution in the American League during that time, it’s very
comparable.”
Gotta love that spin. Markakis is batting .300 and playing gold glove defense in Atlanta while De Aza can’t run to 2nd without making a mistake. Obviously can’t get an impact player or reliever in trade hear because of the salary but would like to see the O’s pluck a young reliever with velocity out of another club’s lower farm system
Well, it’s like discussing with someone about JJ Hardy’s approach at the plate today. First pitch pop up SMH!
It borders on the surreal.
Some interest maybe from angels,cardinals,giants
DeAza for Allen Craig sounds logical.
Sounds logical for the Os.
De Aza has not options
Craig does.
So, Boston already has 75 outfielders without options.
I’m not so sure they would want him.
But I’d take a flier on Craig for Norfolk in a second
Yes, the Sox have too many OFers. Not enough (Nava only) bat lefthanded. So DeAza is a fit on that tick-box.
There IS room for him, though. Victorino simply cannot stay healthy and is becoming a liability because of that. A shame, because when healthy he’s definitely a guy you want on your team.
Rusney Castillo, too, is having challenges staying healthy. So why NOT a Sox outfield with Hanley, Betts, Castillo, Nava and DeAza? If Victorino gets healthy, great. There’s little likelihood the rest of them with be challenging Ripken Jr.’s ironman record any time soon.
Further to this, Craig is owed $9M next year and $11M the year after, followed by a $1M buyout. DeAza is a free agent after this year. If anything, that would work AGAINST the O’s doing a deal.
Well.. I would take that trade as an O’s fan…
Nava needs to be dfa’d, he’s terrible so Peguero is the 4th or 5th OF imo
Idk makes sense for Boston but would be worth the chance for the Orioles. Craig’s contract is not great but he has options and if he could find his stroke in OPACY he could really help the offense.
I can’t see how signing him to a miLB deal would hurt the Jays’ absolutely atrocious bullpen. May be worth a look at league minimum.
With so many teams losing MLB players to injuries I doubt De Aza is forced to sign a MiLB deal. Somebody, somewhere will put him on the 25-man roster — either after making a deal with Baltimore or signing him outright after he clears waivers and declines to stay with Baltimore at triple-A Norfolk.
Is Ariel Miranda related to Orioles’ legendary good-field/no-hit SS Willy Miranda?