The Orioles have designated outfielder Alejandro De Aza for assignment, the club announced. His roster spot will go to Ryan Flaherty, who is back from the DL.
De Aza, 31, was acquired last summer and tendered arbitration over the winter, ultimately receiving a $5MM salary after losing a hearing to the Orioles. That payday represented a fairly significant commitment from Baltimore, but the team has not been rewarded.
Over his first 112 plate appearances on the year, De Aza has slashed .214/.277/.359 with three home runs. He has also stolen two bases, but been caught on two other attempts. Of course, De Aza does have a track record of putting up at least league-average offensive production over full seasons of work.
While De Aza will presumably draw interest, his salary figures to be a major hindrance to a deal. Of course, that same factor also makes him a somewhat unlikely candidate to be claimed off waivers, but with more than five years of service he’d be able to elect free agency (without sacrificing salary) if he cleared. All said, then, the O’s should be motivated to find a deal and save what they can on the contract.
Slightly surprising…
Agreed. I’m sure there will be several teams willing to take him.
Not till he clears waivers.
yep. willing to take him in waivers or as a FA, thats why I said there will be (future). ;)
Just no one will assume his salary.
Like who?
Dan Duquette is quoted as saying there are teams interested.
Also there are teams whos #4&5 Outfielder are worse then him.
The O’s really should have done more to replace Cruz. It’s one thing not to overpay Melky but why couldn’t they trade some of their young SP for a young OF.
Overall one or two bigger moves and the O’s could have been a front runner in the weak East
Weren’t the O’s banking on Steve Pearce becoming a starting corner OF?
Many national pundits foresaw the dropoff by Pearce so his lack of production is not surprising. You don’t all of a sudden become a great hitter at 30. Relying on Pearce and Davis was fool’s gold. Now with all the FAs coming up in the offseason the O’s will be looking out 2-3 years until they may be contenders again for getting to the WS.
What about Jose Bautista? Edwin Encarnacion? Neither did anything until they both got to Toronto in their age 29 seasons really.
Are you really trying to compare Pearce to either of them? I’ll take that bet he doesn’t approach either of their careers. His 2015 is proving that.
The Os didn’t have many good young SP. Wright has came out of nowhere. The Os were hoping that Pearce and Snider would fill the outfield holes. Then they had Young, De Aza and Lough as insurance policies. Parades got a shot after an excellent Spring Training.
SMH!
There simply has to be tension between DD, BS, and PA.
As an Oriole fan, I am fit to be tied!
Nothing since December 2014 has made any sense to me!
You’re fit to be tied over the DFA of a guy hitting .214 and striking out about 33% of the time?
It’s not just about De Aza
It is more about the product on the field these days.
I am not happy.
You’re spoiled. Go to Baseball Reference and look up any Orioles team from 2001 to 2010.
I agree with you, but I don’t think being irritated about a sub-standard team after a stand-pat offseason is unreasonable.
I hope the Sox pick him up after clearing waivers and he gets his release. Put Nava on waivers. Accumulating better players than what you currently have should be every teams goal.
We tried to warn you.
– White Sox
By signing melky for a ton of money?
Seems like a guy Jack Z would pick up. He can’t be any worse than Ackley right now.
I would consider an Ackley for De Aza traded.
This was not sa surprise; a poor defensive player who relied heavily on a way-above-average BABIP in his good seaason. Terrible baserunner. The O’s don’t quite seem to understand regression – see also Pearce, Steve.