1:15pm: Baltimore has announced the signing of Peterson as well as those of three other players. Infielders Christopher Bostick and Zach Vincej will join the utility competition, with righty Jeffeson Medina also coming to the organization on a minors pact.
Bostick and Vincej have each briefly cracked the majors in each of the past two seasons and could certainly challenge Peterson and others for a job (or a spot on the depth chart). Medina, meanwhile, has yet to play past the High-A level but has turned in an intriguing showing thus far (one earned run in 14 innings) in the Venezuelan Winter League.
9:17am: The Orioles have reached a deal to bring back infielder Jace Peterson, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (via Twitter). It’s a minor-league deal, the other terms of which are not known. He had elected free agency after being outrighted by the O’s at the end of the 2018 campaign.
Peterson, 28, has historically lined up mostly at second base. But he has expanded his repertoire in recent seasons, logging significant innings in the corner outfield and at third base while briefly stepping in at both shortstop and first.
Unfortunately, the results at the plate haven’t really changed. Peterson ended his 2018 campaign with 246 plate appearances of 78 OPS+ hitting, an exact match for the rate of production — 22% below the league mean — he has maintained through 1,524 trips to the dish over his five-year career.
The O’s surely don’t yet have a clear idea of how their reserve unit will shape up, and the picture will no doubt change as opportunities arise over the offseason. That said, Peterson figures to have a strong chance at earning a job in camp.
As much as I’ve liked his hustle Jace just has never stepped up his offensive game in the chances he’s had.
Sensible move. Minor league deal. Guy plays hard, professional, also brings speed.
Why? He’s terrible on defense and he’s terrible on offense. The only reason to bring him back is if you can’t find anyone better on the waiver wire, and it’s IMPOSSIBLE to NOT find someone better on the waiver wire.
Going for the #1 draft pick
I don’t think we will have any competition for the 1st pick this year.
However, I’m far more optimistic about the future with Elias at the helm.
Not for the O’s
So this is Elias’s first acquisition? Pretty humble.
Were you expecting him to sign Manny or something?
You have to ignore people like that.
Another year of Tanking it seems..
Surprised they haven’t resigned flaherty.
Maybe Davis can sneak some of that roid to him, he’s probably been working on a new recipe.
Right back into contention. That didn’t take long.
What about Pedro Alvarez!!
STOVE HOT