NOV. 10: Josh Reddick is one potential target, tweets MLB Network’s Jon Morosi. Baltimore is “pursuing” Reddick, according to Morosi, though there are no indications that the team is in any type of serious negotiations this early in the offseason. Reddick has, in the past, carried a strong defensive reputation, though metrics on him took a step back in 2016. Nonetheless, his left-handed bat would fit the Orioles’ previously reported desire. Reddick should cost less than Trumbo, whom Duquette noted may be too expensive to retain (see below), but he could still command somewhere in the vicinity of $10-12MM per season, so he may not be that much more affordable on an annual basis.
NOV. 9: Ghiroli tweets today that Duquette said he’s already had multiple trade discussions at the GM Meetings and is seeking a left-handed-hitting outfielder. FanRag’s Jon Heyman tweets that their ideal target would also be a defensive upgrade, citing Brett Gardner and Ender Inciarte as the type of outfielder the O’s would like to acquire (though not specifically linking the Orioles to either outfielder).
NOV. 8: The Orioles’ top priority this winter will be adding outfield help, general manager Dan Duquette told reporters at the GM Meetings today (Twitter links via MLB.com’s Britt Ghiroli). While the team’s rotation was clearly its primary downfall in 2016, Duquette said he’s comfortable heading into 2017 with the current depth he has. That includes right-handers Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy, Yovani Gallardo and Ubaldo Jimenez as well as left-hander Wade Miley. Additionally, the team has some safety nets in the form of righties Tyler Wilson, Mike Wright and the arbitration-eligible Vance Worley.
Baltimore’s outfield picture is decidedly less certain at the moment. Adam Jones, of course, will reprise his role as the Orioles’ center fielder next year, but the corner picture is murkier. Hyun Soo Kim showed rell enough in his rookie season to see an increased number of at-bats in 2017, but the O’s didn’t seem to feel remotely comfortable letting Kim face lefties, as the former Korea Baseball Organization star recorded just 22 of his 345 plate appearances against a southpaw pitcher. Kim, it would seem, required a platoon partner at the very least, and other corner is even more wide open.
Mark Trumbo served as Baltimore’s primary right fielder in 2016, but Duquette suggested today that the team might not be able to afford to retain Trumbo following last offseason’s aggressive spending on the likes of Chris Davis, Darren O’Day and Gallardo (plus the trade-deadline addition of Miley). Baltimore is also facing sizable arbitration raises for Manny Machado and Zach Britton, among others, so it’s not necessarily surprising that Duquette’s resources could be limited this winter. And, if that’s the case, then the report of Baltimore’s interest in Ian Desmond from earlier this morning may be largely inconsequential, as Desmond figures to be in the same financial stratosphere as Trumbo — if not an even higher one.
Trumbo is one of many corner outfield options on the market this winter, though many teams figure to look at him as a first baseman. If the Orioles need to add a more affordable outfielder to their 2017 mix, the likes of Michael Saunders, Jon Jay and Matt Joyce are among the players that landed on MLBTR’s list of top 50 free agents yesterday, though Joyce and Saunders could present similar platoon issues to Kim. Jay, meanwhile, has fairly even platoon splits throughout his career, although his ability to play center field could lead to some competition for his services.
Lol duquettes lost as a GM. He has two reliable starters, and one just came off a career season. So it makes sense to prioritize on an outfielder? Great logic
Yep, just clueless for not prioritizing pitching, especially with that not-great list of SP options, so dumb, dumb, dumb. Have fun being also-rans, O’s fans, at least those dingers will get you to 85+ wins before your inevitable playoff exit?
So you tell me then, would do we go out of this dearth of a free agent pitching crop? If the O’s go and overpay for Hellickson or Hill, y’all would be the same people saying how horrible those deals are. Gausman and Bundy took huge steps forward and should continue to. Tillman is Tillman and they have depth (yes, bad depth but depth) to fill out the other two spot. Anyways, what they been really good at doing in recent years … finding corner OF’s that revive their careers at Camden Yards, al la Nelson Cruz and Mark Trumbo, anyone? So yes, we need a corner OF, two actually … a platoon partner with Kim and an everyday RF. Preferably someone with a decent OBP …
Baltimore’s rotation put up a 4.72 ERA, so there’s obviously room for improvement. That said, given the youth there, we have to think there will be a decent amount of improvement with guys like Tillman, Gausman, and Bundy.
Especially since the oldest of the 3 is Tillman at 28. They will continue to improve and the rotation could actually be taken seriously in a year or 2.
When Tillman will be reaching free agency.
They are stuck with bad contracts pitching wise… and a bunch of # 5 pitchers.. good luck with that
Just remember Trumbo probable won’t be there…so don’t expect a ton of dingers.. tight wad owner Angelos… lawyer bozo that made all his money on the asbestos settlements.. De Ja Vu with Cruz a few years back.. they have killed that franchise, attendance way down from years back… They outta have a riot there if they move Britton
Orioles had 28 more hrs then anyother team in MLB, so there will be plenty of dingers left. The Orioles have won more games in the AL since 2012 then any other team. I agree there have been some bad decisions but the team has been great as a fan. However on a personal note to Badco44 you asking for a riot, you’re a Bozo and im so glad that nobody in the O’s organization cares what you think.
Which team has the best record in baseball since Duquette took over?
That would be the Washington Nationals
Almost had it that time, best in the AL.
Yes he’s so lost all he’s done is win more games than any team in baseball over the last 5 years. Not to mention doing it with a budget about half of his three top competitors
Just do what they normally do, add someone with some pop and coach them properly, and suddenly they become a premium power hitter.
That’ll preach.
Markakis for Bundy. Dave Wallace is back with the Braves I am sure he could pry an arm loose for Nick.
That is about the worst trade the Orioles could do.
An aging outfielder for their prized young pitcher they have been developing for years. Bundy is going to be a rotation cornerstone for us.
I’m sure if he was an aging innings-eater (Feldman) and backup catcher (Clevenger) BAL would be more inclined…don’t act like BAL hasn’t been in the biz’ of developing starting pitching only to give it away.
And while they’re at it, should the Orioles trade Jimenez/Gallardo, take your pick, to the Braves for Swanson?
Lol
Instead, how about O’Day for Dansby Swanson
You wouldn’t want the Braves to hurt themselves at SS: Kiko Garcia for Swanson
GM Dan Duquette really seems to be losing it. He should be going hard after pitchers like Rich Hill, Jason Hammel, and others.
And overpay for a mediocre middle of the rotation arm … Yeah, no. Ubaldo is a testament that we won’t do that again. We also took a similar player on Seattle’s hands in Miley.
You do point out Rich Hill who I do think would be a great addition, expect for the fact that he is going to get way more money than what he should and what the O’s have to offer because of the depressed SP market.
Damn people on here are so serious. You really think I would expect the Orioles to make that deal. On a serious note what would it take for the Braves to get Gallardo. I don’t think Markakis is getting moved but Gallardo is the type of SP Coppy is looking for. Would the O’s do a Sims for him ? Just to get from under the contract.
Pretty sure they’d jump at that deal. The O’s that is…
Sims for gallardo would be a terrible trade Daniel Castro for him would be a better one maybe throw somebody who is about to play his 3rd season in A ball and is 24 years old. That should pry him away for sure
Matt Joyce is inexpensive and historically had a solid OBP. Good fit for Baltimore
This is such a sneaky DD play. Personally, I have never been a Matt Joyce guy, but he does fit and he does have the OBP.
Time for the O’s to trade Hardy, lock up Machado, find a switch hitting shortstop who can bat lead off and say their goodbyes to Matt Wieters
I like that : ” find a switch hitting shortstop that can bat lead off.” Because, you know, those guys are everywhere and easily available.
” Hyun Soo Kim showed rell enough in his rookie season to see an increased number of at-bats in 2017,”
Is that an asian joke?
Trumbo will be an overpay and they will be stuck with Chris Davis’s contract in his decline. Will be tough times for O’s. Duquette will hopefully use restraint.
Britton for Inciarte straight up. Maybe the O’s could add a few other good young prospects and also get Folty.
that’s what I was thinking but I don’t know if the braves would want to pay what Britton is going to cost headed into arbitration in the coming seasons
Only, the Braves do not need Britton. We have solid mlb options to close, plus our potential closer of the future, A.J. Minter, not far away.
Exactly, POTENTIAL closer, nobody knows how he’ll do once he makes it to the majors. Britton has proven himself as one of the top 3 closers in the game.
Then keep him.
Ender is great, loved him during his time with the D’Backs, but Zach Britton is going to win the CY Young award. Ender is just not that good, even with a few added pieces in the mix.
False
you must be one of the dave Stewart apologists. ender is worth more than Britton. lot of luck involved in the e.r.a because relievers have small sample sizes.
doesn’t matter… braves should be targeting 2019 So a closer does them no good.
Kinda think zack got left out of the Cy Young voting this year guys
Zach Britton isn’t even a finalist for the Cy Young this year. Sorry buddy. It’s between Verlander, Porcello, and Kluber.
Are you high? Britton is great, don’t get me wrong, but it’s a lot easier to grow a good closer than it is to find someone like Inciarte. We won’t move him. And forget about Folty. The Braves aren’t trading off MLB pieces anymore. We actually would like to add some pitching on the short term.
Britton could fetch more than Inciarte, IMHO. Inciarte is a good young player, but Britton is arguably the best reliever in the game. I mean, look at the price Chapman, Miller and Kimbrel got traded for. Now if you guys were interested in Brach… I think DD might give you an offer.
what? inciarte is a 4 war outfielder with a lot of team control at cheap prices.
Britton isn’t cheap and throws 70 innings.
the reason Chapman and Miller got those packages is because there was no current m.l talent just prospects and they got deadline premiums. you get more at the deadline.
The Braves just traded away a top closer knowing that going into the rebuild he would have little to no value to the team, but prospects could. Why would they trade one of their top young, controllable players for a closer now, when they are still not close to competing.
Relievers are a bunch of flash in the pan type players. They are good for 2-3 years and then burn out. That is why there is such high turnover in bullpens, and why a top level closer is one of the last pieces you want to add to the mix if you are looking externally.
Exactly. Plus braves already have an ex orioles top closer who is locked up and has performed well for us
Ender isn’t going anywhere especially for a closer. We don’t need a closer of that caliber yet. That’s the last piece a rebuilding team adds unless he develops along the rebuild. we don’t match up with the Orioles.
ender is actually very likely to be dealt. would guess the nationals for Joe ross.
Lol what? Why would either trade either player to their division rival? More to the point where or from who did you hear Ender is more likely to be dealt?
Many Braves fans has been clamoring for us to trade Markakis, which I don’t really agree with. But if we do, maybe they’d want the gold glove nominee. Not sure what players we’d want in return. Another option is Mallex Smith, who I’m high on more than others. Again, don’t see anyone we’d want that Baltimore would be willing to give.
As a Orioles fan, I am fascinated by a Markakis reunion. However, I don’t think that it will happen. Do you think Markakis for Brach + PTBNL would do it?
Honesty, relief pitching isn’t a need for us. We have depth in majors and great potential in minors. Unless it’s a salary dump move, I would expect Braves to rather holding on to Markakis in this case. Again, I don’t see a match here.
Mets and O’s seem like logical trade partners. Brad Brach for Jay Bruce? Mets also have rookie starters Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman who impressed last season when the starters started dropping like flies. Could also be one rested I’m buying low on Travis d’Arnaud or giving Kevin Plawecki a shot behind the plate.
I like your thinknig
I wouldn’t prefer Jay Bruce in a O’s uniform. His OBP leaves a lot to be desired. I would prefer that the O’s sign Joyce and then focus on pitching. But if the Mets would do Bruce for Brach, that would be pretty hard to turn down.
If the Mets resign Cespedes, they will most likely look to move either Bruce or Granderson. I could see these two working on a deal around Brach and Bruce
I’m admittedly pretty low on Bruce, but I don’t think the Orioles would do that. 2 years of arbitration for one of the better relievers in baseball 3 years running for a replacement-level player on a relatively expensive option for one year seems like a win for the Mets
Bruce was very good from 2010-2013, had a very poor 2014
If the O’s can’t resign Trumbo I can see them trying to get Bruce as strictly a DH. But Brach would not be in the deal. I think the O’s would offer a few lower level prospects so they don’t have to take away from their major league team.
Not sure what happened to the rest of my response but I’ll summarize.
Bruce was having a career year before being traded to the Mets and become a dumpster fire. Any team trading for him would obviously be hoping for a bounce back like the first half of 2015. Camden Yards seems like a solid place for that to happen.
Brach is a very good RP but he’s 30 and in my opinion, he can be replaced by a healthy O’Day
lol why would they want Bruce and his 13 mil dollar contract when they have trey mancini to dh for the minimum…
Bruce for Brach? I’d take that train robbery any day.
Dan Duquette is an idiot. Pitching wins championships. Just look at the Cubs. Get him out of the front office!
Bingo!!!!on the pitching, and DD for that matter
A LH hitting gold glove level OF like Ender Inciarte…hmm…Nick Markakis was a gold glove finalist….hmm….
Bridich better be calling from Denver to offer up Parra. He wasn’t too awful for the O’s when they acquired him at the ’15 trade deadline.
The O’s have surprised the last 2 years signing Cruz and Trumbo under the radar. Who will it be this year, I’m thinking Holladay
The typo “Kim played rell enough” reads like a bad comedic stereotype