The Orioles’ offseason shopping seems to be far from over, and here’s some more on the team’s winter maneuvering from MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko…
- Andrew Cashner wasn’t the only Padre to draw interest from the Orioles, as the O’s also discussed James Shields and Matt Kemp in talks with San Diego. Shields has been the subject of some trade speculation this winter but there hasn’t been much solid buzz around the veteran following his somewhat disappointing 2015 campaign. Shields allowed a career-high 17.6% homer rate last year despite pitching home games at Petco Park, which certainly would be a concern for a team playing in hitter-friendly Camden Yards. Shields can opt out of his contract after 2016, and if he chooses to remain in his current deal, he’s owed $44MM in 2017-18 (counting the buyout of his 2019 club option). That opt-out and Shields’ age make him a trickier trade candidate than Cashner, despite Shields’ stronger career track record and history of success in the AL East.
- Kemp, meanwhile, was also an Orioles target last winter before the outfielder was dealt from the Dodgers to the Padres. Kemp would provide the O’s with a bat beyond their rumored targets of Dexter Fowler, Pedro Alvarez and Jay Bruce, and he might come at a discounted price since San Diego would obviously have to eat a healthy chunk of the $86MM owed to Kemp through the 2019 season (the Dodgers are also paying $14MM of that total). Kemp’s hitting has been inconsistent over the last three seasons, however, and Baltimore’s outfield defense would take a big hit with either Kemp or Mark Trumbo getting regular playing time. As Kubatko puts it, Kemp is “still not coming to Baltimore,” so it may be that the O’s have moved on.
- Several teams have asked Baltimore about Jonathan Schoop but the O’s aren’t listening to offers involving the young second baseman.
- Minor league southpaw Chris Lee is also getting attention in trade talks, and while Lee doesn’t seem as untouchable as Schoop, Kubatko says the Orioles “would like to hold onto” the left-hander. Lee was recently ranked as the seventh-best prospect in Baltimore’s system by Baseball America after a 2015 that saw him make his Double-A debut. The Orioles acquired Lee from Houston last May for two international bonus slots.
- The Orioles are planning to watch Tim Lincecum’s upcoming throwing session once the date is finalized. The O’s were linked to Lincecum earlier this month and they’ll likely be one of several teams interested in seeing if the former two-time NL Cy Young Award winner is looking healthy.
- Beyond Lincecum, “the Orioles are pretty much open to any bounceback candidate coming off an injury,” Kubatko writes. This search would include Cliff Lee, though the O’s don’t seem to feel that the veteran southpaw wants to pitch in 2016.
Orioles would be wise to go with Alvarez. Fowler would cost them another draft pick and Bruce would cost them prospects which they can’t afford to lose. Alvarez’s power would work wonders in Camden Yards and he would only cost $4,000,000 at most. On top of all of that, hypothetically, if the season doesn’t go as expected for the O’s, Alvarez could be an intriguing trade chip due to his affordability and power potential, whereas the others would be owed much more money. Pedro could go off at Camden, like seriously, I wouldn’t be surprised with 35 bombs.
Fowler makes them a better team today and for the next year or two after that, depending on the length of the deal.
The likelihood that a #14 draft pick will provide similar value in, say 2021 and beyond as Fowler will provide from 2016 – 2018 is insanely remote. Why worry so much about a crapshoot high school pitcher or college outfielder who may or may not ever have an impact on your club when there’s an impact player to be had right now?
And keep in mind that while a lot of teams may not see Fowler as an impact piece, the O’s have literally one outfielder they can depend on. Fowler’s glove and .350 OBP in the leadoff spot would be an incredible upgrade over what the O’s currently have.
You beat me to it NB.
Fowler is a lead-off hitter the O’s sorely need and Gallardo would solidify the rotation. and he knows how to pitch would provide good example to the rest of the rotation.
The problem is the longer this goes on with no contracts in hand none of this may come true. In other words, I have no idea what the Orioles are waiting for!!
Alvarez is the *last* person the Orioles need. He is a one-tool player. He can hit for power, and yes, that power would be on display, but he brings nothing else to the table. In fact, he is so bad defensively that he would force Trumbo to the outfield which would weaken our defense.
Fowler brings a plus glove, on base ability, speed, and moderate power to the lineup. People talk about Gallardo and his declining velocity and strikeout rates, but no one mentions how he is a pronounced ground ball pitcher who should thrive with the Orioles and their fantastic infield defense.
I know the concerns about giving up the draft picks, but it’s not like the O’s have done a bangup job drafting in recent years, and even first round draft picks are a crapshoot for everyone.
Lefty, you keep forgetting that the O’s are owned by a very successful lawyer, and nothing gets done quickly. It’s just the way of the Orioles world.
Considering Davis and Machado are locked in at the corners, Alvarez would DH depending on his fielding or not. Trumbo would have to move to a corner outfield spot no matter how good Alvarez was defensively.
Doesn’t make any sense for a team to give Alvarez enough at bats so he could hit 35 HRs, barring injury. He offers nothing else.
If any team had space for a platoon DH, it would make sense to give him all of the DH at bats vs. righties, and store his glove in a “break in event of emergency” glass case.
But no team has that need, which is why he’s still unsigned.
Kemp Fowler and Tim L. Would make the Os a contender this year. I want Fowler to come to Atlanta but we have no need for him he is a great player but we got some young studs waiting for us.
Had wanted Fowler since he was with the Rockies.
Agree that Oriole Park would be a great hitting park for Alvarez, but where is he going to play?
Alvarez would have ok if Davis didn’t sign. But as it stands we need an OF now. D.Alvarez will get a long look after AFL hitting . I see a few guys that could break this year at some time with o’s
timmy would look good in a jays uniform
Cashner, Kemp & Shields for Bundy, Gonzlaez & Mancini?
That’s among the worst I’ve ever seen
I would assume he means without the Padres eating any salary, which, even then…
The problem with Alvarez is his fielding. For the O’s to take Alvarez on would mean either Davis or Trumbo playing full-time RF. While it’s true Alvarez is likely to love hitting in the AL East the O’s are not fans of players who could embarass themselves with the glove. because it takes maneuvering options away from Showalter. With a team that prides itself on defense and lacking in starting pitching that can overcome defensive lapses Alvarez should be a non-starter for the O’s.
And how are the contract obligations divided between the two teams? You can be certain that no matter how much it improves the roster the O’s are not taking on the contracts of Shields & Kemp without the Padres covering a lot of the costs — especially if the O’s are being asked to part with Bundy.
I’m really interested to see what Schoop does this season. It really looked like the “light bulb” went on for him at the end of the season. Laying off the bad pitches he usually swung at and smacking a lot of crisp liners. He may have a break out season this year.
I’m not sure why people are so down on James Shields 2015 season. Even though his HR rate was high, his K/9 also increased and ERA was 3.91 to end the year. If he can trim the HR ball he could be in line for a nice year since even with a high HR rate he had a decent year.
Yes, Shields had a good 2015 for a solid #3 pitcher. The problem is he is paid like a #1 for the next few years, unless he opts out. His contract was structured to only pay him $10m last year. He will be getting $21m for the next 3 years. That is too much for a #3 with as many innings on his arm as Shields. Backloading the contract of a 33 year old pitcher is never a good idea.