The Orioles have claimed right-hander Austin Brice off waivers from the Angels, as announced by both teams. In a corresponding move to clear roster space, the O’s have designated infielder Breyvic Valera for assignment. Baltimore now has a full 40-man roster.
This is the second time the hard-throwing Brice has switched organizations this offseason, as he was claimed off the Reds roster by the Angels back in November, but then DFA’ed by the Halos last week once they signed Jonathan Lucroy. Brice, 26, has a 5.68 ERA over 84 career innings with the Reds and Marlins from 2016-18. His main issue at the big league level has been the home run ball, with an ungainly 1.9 HR/9 over the last two seasons. Despite his homer woes, Brice has generated ground balls (career 51.2% grounder rate) at an above-average rate. It’s a fairly low-risk acquisition by the Orioles, who will be exploring any number of young players as they begin their rebuilding process.
Valera has a .529 OPS over 86 career Major League plate appearances with the Orioles, Dodgers, and Cardinals, and he is perhaps best known for being included as part of the trade package L.A. sent to Baltimore last summer for Manny Machado. Turning 27 next week, Valera does own a pretty solid .299/.357/.388 slash line over 3659 career minor league PA and he offers some utility depth. Valera has spent much of his pro career as a second baseman, though he has experience playing any position on the diamond except catcher and pitcher.
O’s masking moves finally!
D’oh!
Valera is good AAA roster piece for someone, not much else.
Valera seems like a Royals target – no power, can play a bunch of positions, none particularly well. Runs well. He has some on-base ability however, which might not make him particularly desirable to KC.
No room for Valera if we intend on keeping the two rule 5 guys. Would’ve thought we would’ve canned Steve Wilkerson first since he can cover less infield slots but it doesn’t make a difference.
Wilkerson looked very good in his role some this last season.
His OPS was under 500. It was only 50 abs but it was bad. He was popped for roids earlier in the season as well. Didn’t look good.
Article earlier said Luke Farrell was DFA’d when Lucroy signed. But I believe he was DFA’d when Harvey signed.
He’s given up 17 homers in 84 innings. He’ll fit in nicely.
I’m sure the new regime sees something in him that suggests he can reduce that.
Guys with no issues aren’t on waivers this time of year. It’s a shot in the dark.
Yeah, not sure that’s correct. Doesn’t strike me as a front office that shoots in the dark.
Brice finally signs! Wait.
Can’t quite put my finger on it, but I think the O’s are in for a lonnnng season.