After picking up outfielder Seth Smith from the Mariners in a deal that sent Yovani Gallardo to Seattle, Orioles VP of baseball operations Dan Duquette told the media that his organization still wants to add to its outfield mix, as Dan Connolly of BaltimoreBaseball.com was among those to report. Baltimore is also interested in adding some pitching depth with Gallardo leaving town.
Duquette seemingly framed the approach as one of seeking depth, but presumably the O’s will at least consider something more. It probably doesn’t hurt that turning Gallardo into Smith also freed up a bit of financial flexibility. The organization would surely like to add some more thump to its lineup, which no longer includes Mark Trumbo and Pedro Alvarez.
Currently, Jason Martinez of MLBTR and Roster Resource projects Trey Mancini to take DH duties. But while the 24-year-old had a solid season in the upper minors last year, he only made it to the majors for five games of action. And though it’s nice that he hit three home runs in his 15 MLB plate appearances, Mancini hit a relatively unexceptional twenty long balls and slugged. 458 in 611 trips to the plate in the minors. Point being: despite his promise, there’s reason to believe the O’s ought to seek a near-term upgrade.
Of course, both Trumbo and Alvarez are still available via free agency. The former is at least capable of playing the outfield, though defensive metrics have long cast doubt on that characterization. Among the free agent outfielders still available are Brandon Moss, Michael Saunders, Colby Rasmus, and longtime O’s nemesis Jose Bautista.
As for the rotation, Duqutte said that he felt the club was in a good position to move a starter. “We dealt from an area of surplus – we had six starters – to fill an area of need and that was left-handed hitting, on-base capability and an outfielder,” he said. “So, we liked the trade from that perspective. We reallocated some of our resources and I think, in the process, we strengthened our team.”
Given that assessment, it certainly sounds as if Baltimore will limit itself to swingman types or minor-league free agents. There are quite a few possible candidates still remaining that could meet that general description, so it’s all but impossible to assess where the team’s gaze might end up landing. Given Duquette’s propensity for waiting out the market, it could well be some time before we find out the full slate of arms that the O’s will have on hand this spring.
If I were the Yankees, I’d take an autographed Cal Ripken ball for Gardner.
Why? He’s a gold glove outfielder who has a little pop and a little speed. He’s no Mike Trout but still has value.
Whatever they’ve been asking for is obviously too much since he’s still on the roster. I’d like to dump him just to clear cap space for a SP. I think Mason Williams would be a fine replacement.
Gardner’s been barely league average or worse the last several years. And Gold Gloves mean little, I mean look how many Jeter won and he rates as one of the worst defensive SS in recent memory. Gardener’s speed is gone, he’s still a smart runner on the basepaths, but watching him play the field, his quickness is gone.
You don’t seem to be over valuing him like most commenters on here, but his value isn’t much more than a fringe prospect or two.
Why do people keep pointing to Jeter and the GG award? Yeah, it happened. Get over it. Mark Belanger, Omar Vizquel and Ozzie Smith also won. Gardener is still a very good OF. If in need of a lead off or 2 hitter, you could do a lot worse. Trying to compare a Rajah Davis type to a Mark Trumbo type isn’t comparing apples to apples. It’s one of the areas that WAR misses on. If my team needs power, Trumbo’s the guy. If it needs speed and defense, I’ll take Gardener or Davis.
Because Gold Gloves mean nothing, Jeter’s collection of them and Palmeiro’s Gold Glove season while serving as a DH are the most glaring examples that they’re more of a popularity contest. That’s why it gets brought up.
Gardner isn’t a top of the order bat anymore, just because the Yankees played him there out of necessity doesn’t make him that, and provides neither exceptional speed or defense. Gardner has no arm, actually cost the Yankees almost 3 runs when he played the field, and while he provides value on the bases it’s from his intelligence not his speed, which he’s lost a lot of (hence his fast defensive decline). He has value, but it’s nowhere near what people on here make it out to be, especially with that bloated contact.
Winning teams don’t start Seth Smith-types full time in the outfield, nor roll Ubaldo out there every fifth day. And I’m a Rockies fan so I love both Seth and Ubaldo.
They chickened out and went small. Not gonna go well.
I think the O’s were a winning team. Smith doesn’t make them worse
This comment though … peoples’ ignorance never fails.
Because every World Series Champion doesn’t have role players on the roster …
People just want their team to make a splashy move for overpriced players. It’s all about names and spending money. Yet the two teams that make the World Series have names and no namers. It takes a team and a team of names just isn’t realistic, nor smart.
Seth Smith is a fine role player and would do fine in such a job with the O’s. Unfortunately, the O’s are considering him their everyday right fielder. Because they have another lefty corner OF on the other side who ALSO needs a platoon partner, and I highly doubt they’ll run two OF platoons.
There is a line of thought that Kim is an everyday player and wouldn’t struggle against lefties if given a larger sample of at bats. Certainly wasn’t an issue before he came to the MLB. Seth would then platoon with Rickard or Rule V of your choice
Let Kim play everyday and have a mediocre platoon of smith and rickard. And then hope to god their offense is still there without Alvarez, trumbo and wieters.
Looking at Smiths numbers against righties and Rickard against lefties and you actually have an average to slightly above average platoon. Very well rounded players and solid defensively in right. I think there will be a full time DH signed (Trumbo, Alvarez, Carter, etc…) and maybe another bullpen arm and minor league starter.
Rickard and smith aren’t good defensively
Smith is clearly the platoon player vs RHPs. Kim actually showed a lot of signs he can handle being fulltime hitter and defender.
Alvarez and Wieters aren’t exactly offensive juggernauts. Trumbo had a career year he is not likely to repeat. The off season is not over.
mgraub00 is exactly correct. sometimes the message board general managers are blinded by their own ignorance.
In 2015 the Royals marched out a lousy Mark Guthrie 30+ times
In 2014 the Giants marched out a terrible Tim Lincecum 30+ times
Both teams won the World Series.
Obviously your point is…well…pointless.
Mark Guthrie last pitched for the Cubs in 2003.
Well he came back in 2015 and stretched out from a lefty specialist to a starter and marched out a lousy 30 times…please keep up
lol Mark Guthrie .
Jeremy*
Jay Bruce, no doubt
Ugh, no, .
Seth smith was in home alone 3.
Did he get rave reviews from critics?
(Sorry, I had to….)
Thank you…there’s another doctor on here that is trying to kill it off
Lets Go O’s! Heard it here 1st, Dodgers n Bmore ’17 WS…book it! Laugh now…
I’ve got a bet on Mets v Red Sox in the WS
Ok I am laughing now.
Oriole’s took two outfielders in the rule 5 draft and also have Joey Rickard (Kim’s platoon partner, but also serviceable in RF or backup CF).
As it stands Oriole’s have 3.5 starting outfielders and two rule 5 picks that could see time as well (not to mention Dariel Alvarez in the minors). Which is all to say, they have plenty of outfielders, just few proven options.
Sign Alvarez to DH and let’s start the season
Yusmeiro Petit makes a lot of sense for Baltimore imo.
What job did she resign from?
I read Duquette’s comment to mean: “I am so terrible at signing starting pitchers, I figured dumping them for non-pitchers would be a better strategy.”
Good call! Getting anything useful for Gallardo and saving some money was a good move – but doesn’t make up for the horrible decision to sign him and give up the 1st round pick in the first place.
I’d be more than happy to do JJ Hardy and Brach/Givens for Gardy. Win/win for both teams. O’s dump JJ salary and get their outfielder and lead off guy. Yanks swap salaries and gain an all star reliever in the process.
thats pretty bad for the Os
Gardy and who? Brach or Givens for him straight would be the most lopsided trade of the last 2 seasons.