Free agent outfielder Jarrod Dyson is a possibility for the Orioles, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com. The club has “checked his medicals,” Kubatko writes.
This is the second straight offseason in which Dyson has been on the Orioles’ radar, as Kubatko notes that general manager Dan Duquette discussed Dyson with Kansas City before the Royals traded him to the Mariners last winter. Now, Dyson would provide the Orioles a left-handed-hitting outfielder – which is on their offseason wish list – to add to a group that currently includes four righties (Adam Jones, Trey Mancini, Austin Hays and Joey Rickard) and a switch-hitter (Anthony Santander). Notably, the 33-year-old Dyson owns pronounced platoon splits, having hit a meager .215/.293/.259 against left-handed pitchers during his career and a playable .267/.331/.372 versus righties.
While he has never been a major threat with the bat, including during a.251/.324/.350 showing in 2017 with the Mariners, Dyson has provided significant value with both his glove and legs. Since debuting with the Royals in 2010, Dyson has accounted for 55 Defensive Runs Saved and a 52.1 Ultimate Zone Rating in center field, and he managed terrific numbers in those categories last year (10 DRS, 5.4 UZR). With Jones entrenched in center field, it seems Dyson would mostly play right in Baltimore. Regardless, he’d strengthen an Orioles outfield that finished last season 23rd in DRS (minus-15) and 29th in UZR (minus-21.1).
As a team, the Orioles struggled mightily on the base paths in 2017, ranking dead last in steals (32) and a similarly woeful 28th in FanGraphs’ BsR metric. That’s another area in which Dyson would help, as he swiped 28 bags on 35 attempts in 2017 and hasn’t ended a season with fewer than 26 steals since he started seeing extensive action in 2011. Dyson has also graded out well according to BsR, most recently placing 12th among 287 major leaguers with at least 300 plate appearances last season.
Considering Dyson’s strengths and the Orioles’ weaknesses, a fit would seem to make sense, though Kubatko cautions that they’d need to be “sold on his health” for a signing to happen. With Dyson being an aging player who underwent sports hernia surgery last September, that may not be a sure thing.
I thought Jones was entrenched in CF? Is one of them moving to right?
Dyson to right
It would be nice to see Jones move to right. His glove is not that great. But it is his last season under contract. So Dyson could be a platoon in RF and back up the other 2 spots.
They really could Use Cain tbh. Baltimore has been bandaiding their outfield since the departure of Markakis
I believe the stat they are wishing to say above is that from 2012 through 2016 the Orioles had the highest winning percentage of any team in major league baseball. That is fact, my friends. So, for a bunch of blowhards to get up here and talk about what a terribly run organization they are only proves their biased ignorance.
Also, the criticism that the Orioles outfield has been lacking since the departure of Markakis is unfortunately correct. Adding someone like Dyson would bring some much-needed defense to a corner spot, thus further justifying putting a slugger type like Mancini (who by the way has made good defensive strides in this last year)in the other corner spot.
I’d love to have Cain, too, but this is the Orioles we’re talking about. Maybe next year with Machado, Jones, and Britton most likely off the books, we’ll ante up for some upper tier FA’s.
In a perfect world the O’s would sign both Cain and Moustakas. Move Machado to SS if he doesn’t get traded. I could easily see both of them signing for 3 yr deals.
Just what the O’s need, a 3b that walks 25 times a year. And a 32 year OF that relies on his legs, the first thing to go, but wants a long term deal.
Yep. What’s the alternative?
Maybe if you’d read the article you’d know
There is not a more clueless front office in MLB than the one running in Orioles. They have next to no pitching and keep going after past their prime position players. Why do they do this? Davis and Trumbo were awful signs and we all could see it, everyone could, except the O’s front office. I think I could do a better job for real, any of us could.
They are one of the more perplexing teams in all of baseball. Great market to be in. Great stadium. Great history. Good coach.
But they make some head scratching moves. The way the ignore the international market. Paying big bucks to B level players. Not trading their stars when they should. The list goes on…
….and their medical staff that refuses to clear anyone that all other 29 teams said were good to go.
I agree, I’d love to see Baltimore succeed but the way the front office infuriatingly ignores pitching, their most clear pressing need, is so ridiculous. Austin Hays should be the RF next season, Dyson is a much better fit on about a dozen other teams.
If I ran that team, Cobb, Arrieta and Darvish would be the only players on my shopping list, and yes, I’d aim for all 3. Adding those 3 to Gausman and Bundy would give the O’s a fighting chance at contending.
We couldn’t afford all 3 with these ridiculous contracts that they have to Davis, Trumbo, etc.
Like it or not, the medical staff is right most of the time.
Name one player that failed/Orioles passed on the medicals and it burned them? I’ll wait…
Does Grant Balfour count?
Yeah, waiting for the next time you make the postseason in like 20 years.
What did Balfour do after failing his physical besides end up on TB’s DL
Ummm the O’s have passed on every FA that didnt sign with them in the last 3-5 years because of their med team, Balfour was the only guy they got right, and big whoop, you saved $5M there, which you used on Mark Trumbo, LOL
Who’s medicals did they get wrong, names or your just taking $h!7
They failed Gallardo (and revised his deal) and Balfour, in addition to Tyler Colvin on a minor league deal iirc. There’s no example of them failing a player on a physical and getting burned. You can bash the Orioles for many things, but their medical exam protocol is not one of them.
^^^^^^^^^ Exactly!!!!
Grant Balfour – Failed so the Orioles did not sign him to a 3 year deal. Signed with TB and pitched one season at 4.91 ERA and made it 6 innings the next year and then never pitched again. Remember how the TB doctor vouched for Balfour too?
Xavier Hernandez – Failed it. Signed by Houston. Never pitched in the majors again but it did cost the Orioles $1.75 mil in a settlement.
Aaron Sele – Physical did not look good so they dropped their offer from 4 years to 2. Sele signed 2 years for Seattle. He pitched 7 more years after but only once had an ERA under 4.50 and battled injuries after the 2nd year.
Jeremy Burnitz – Failed and missed out on a 2 year deal. Signed with Pittsburgh and had leg issues most of the year and finished with an 81 OPS+ and never played again.
Yovani Gallardo – Failed so they signed him for a lesser deal. Should have just scrapped the whole thing.
Angel Pagan – Failed the physical last year. No one else signed him.
But there are a bunch of minor league types that failed as well like Jair Jurrjens.
Super burned, right?
Thank you!
A much more thorough list than mine. Well done! It’s frustrating when people bash the O’s for their rigorous physicals, but can’t find an example of it not working out.
Dude they are not spending $300 million on Sp ,, get real..
I’m pretty certain they passed on Colin Moran for zach Britton this past season. I think Moran was the headliner (so it was Moran, plus others) and Baltimore scrapped the deal bc of it… but Moran did just have a facial fracture. In Baltimore no less.. Moran came back later in the year and was just traded to the pirates… hindsight being 20/20, Baltimore should have done the deal.
Preach
I have assumed that the Camden Yards is NOT a pitchers’ ballpark. Still, I don’t understand the O’s team building goals. They are not unique. I feel the same about the Jays, Mets, Brewers and the Rockies…I never understand how their acquisitions fit.
The Rockies going after hitters is soooo silly when you look at historically, how many lesser-likes had career years there. It’s actually hard to not hit .300 there. So, the obvious thing would be to ignore what happened to Mike Hampton and keep on signing as many proven/good pitchers as possible, right? Nope. More Ian Desmond when there’s a full OF and no glaring need.
I honestly think these recent deals are still stinging teams and they aren’t signing anyone this time just to make a point. Too many teams have been burned when the in-house option could have outperformed for min wage. Interesting crossroads they’re at right now.
It wasn’t the front office, it was Angelos.
Jarrod Dyson makes some sense if we’re contending or not. He’s a relatively cheap OF option who steals bases and plays plus defense. We don’t have an outfielder on our team who can do that. We just have a much larger hole at SP.
5 more years of Chris Davis. LOL Good luck with that O’s.
Not really a concern for us.
Why not a concern?
He probably has the worst contract in baseball and for a smallish market, it’s a huge concern
You should be concerned with being forced to play a guy with a -0.1 WAR last year because they can’t bench what they paid for. Playing bad players like that means you will lose games!
They’d have to overpay for him to underproduce. Hand him $5 million just to sign somewhere else.
It’s crazy how the organization with the most wins in the Al since 2012 gets tabbed a terrible run franchise
It’s crazy that someone would lie in a comment to make a fake point about their terrible baseball team that hasn’t won a title in decades.
Boston, Yankees, Royals and Indians all have more wins than the O’s since 2012, but who cares, they cant win in the future because they are run horribly.
Numbers don’t lie, look it up
those 4 teams have more wins than baltimore over the last 5 years, but you said 6, but still are wrong
1988 was such a short time ago…..
30 years? Lol
Nothing lamer than a rebuttal with fake information.
Yankees – 526
Indians – 522
Orioles – 519
Royals – 502
Red Sox – 481
At least the initial comment was accurate as of last year and the guy could argue that he was remembering that info and forgot to add this past season in.
He’s still wrong.
Gotta love how much more mad you are at me than the OP lying in the first place. Pathetic.
It’s also crazy how overlooked some of their good deals and signings have been—along with especially their outstanding player development over the years.
Well, they are. They have three post season appearances in how many years? Even since 2012, they’ve only made the playoffs 50% of the time despite all those wins. If they were ran good they wouldn’t trend up and down year to year, because the front office would’ve addressed their issues like defence and that thing they tried to pass off as a rotation
Dyson should go to the giants as a placeholder until Dugger is ready.
I amazed SF hasn’t signed him yet, perfect fit, perfect Park.
Not to take anything away from Dyson, but this feels like another half measure taken by Baltimore that doesn’t move the needle enough
Perhaps but they need defense and a left-handed bat, without excessive payroll commitments. This would seem to feel that.
It’s January 21st, and the O’s still haven’t signed anyone. I understand they do this every winter, but with less than a month before pitchers and catchers report, they currently only have 2/5 of a rotation. I’m sure Duquette shrugs it off like it’s no big deal, but those rotation spots aren’t gonna fill themselves. BAL clearly won’t be in on any of the FA SPs in the top 2 tiers, but the worthwhile lower tier pitchers are getting pretty scarce. They must be gambling that prices are gonna fall through the floor for SPs in February, but what if they don’t?
Idk about the worthwhile lower tier SP getting scarce. There hasn’t been much movement. Fiers and Miguel Gonzalez are the only two I think we had any interest in. Not too upset on missing on either one of those. It’s definitely nearing the time to make a deal though.
“checked his medicals”. I thought that was pretty funny, because it’s the Orioles
Yes!! I have been saying this for weeks. Dyson would provide much needed speed, defense, and a left-handed bat. Not to mention a legitimate leadoff hitter. I think he should play center and bump Jones to right. All at a reasonable price. DEFINITELY worth the risk!
the mantra “grow the arms” but then they trade them…for minimal return. Davies, Bridwell, Hader, Arrieta, Miranda. The Orioles wish was their rotation right now. And they should have traded Chen, Davis, and O’Day a few years ago when they were going to be free agents. instead we traded for Parra and gave up Davies. and last year missed out on trading Britton for Colin Moran.
Bridwell was a fluke for my Angels.
Miranda is hot garbage. He gave up 35 hrs pitching in safeco. How many would that have been in Baltimore? I don’t think bridwell is a loss either. We traded hader away 6 years ago and he’s yet to start a big league game. Sucks we lost him but would he really have been an X factor?
Miranda was traded for Miley, so okay, that is a wash of bad pitchers. Hader was drafted in 2012 and he wasn’t traded until like 2014 and last year was considered the best left handed pitching prospect in baseball..Bridwell would be a number 4 easy on this team (which is not saying much). Bridwell was given away for cash. I think that is a little crazy for a team that needs starters in the majors and minors desperately. There is a trend here that we need starting pitching and have a habit of giving them away along with their international pool money.
Why would the Orioles want him? He can actually play defense, and is one of the fastest players in the league. That’s not the O’s way.
Bridwell was 10-3 with a 3.64 ERA. He would have been our ace. He would be considered the future. He was traded for cash. Tillman and Miley had ERA’s of around 7.00.