Right-hander Tyler Wilson is with the Orioles and will be activated today, according to multiple reporters, including MLB.com’s Britt Ghiroli (Twitter links). The Orioles have not announced a corresponding move, but Ghiroli says that the team will likely part with an outfielder, possibly via trade. Manager Buck Showalter told the Baltimore media that GM Dan Duquette “is working on some things” in regards to a corresponding move.
Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun feels that Delmon Young, Steve Pearce, David Lough and Nolan Reimold are the candidates (Twitter links), and an industry source has told him that the Orioles have recently been gauging interest in Young, in particular. Duquette has been in talks with at least one team in the NL regarding Young, he says adding that a DFA is also possible. MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko tweets that Reimold will be remaining with the team, and he feels that Pearce’s versatility is valued by the Orioles, seemingly making him unlikely to be moved.
It seems that Young is possibly on the outside looking in. The 29-year-old had a nice first season with the Orioles in 2014, but he’s struggled in 2015, slashing just .270/.289/.339 in 180 plate appearances. The return of Reimold, who rejoined the team earlier this month, has perhaps made Young expendable. A right-handed bat that’s primarily limited to the corner outfield, Reimold possesses a similar skill set to Young but has been much more productive of late. Since June 9, Reimold is hitting .257/.366/.514 in an admittedly small sample of 41 plate appearances.
Young is earning $2.25MM this season, of which approximately $1.19MM remains. His current deal calls for him to earn an additional $125K for reaching 250 and 300 plate appearances, plus an additional $100K for reaching 400, 450, 500, 550 and 600. Obviously, some of those are out of reach at this point, given his limited playing time to date.
Many clubs are on the lookout for offensive upgrades. The Giants recently lost Hunter Pence and Nori Aoki to injury, and the Pirates could certainly use a platoon partner for Gregory Polanco in right field. The Angels have received little production from left field, although it seems unlikely that they’d be swinging any trades at the moment given the tumultuous state of their front office. The Mariners didn’t get any production out of Rickie Weeks as a platoon option in left field and could look for upgrades. Michael Cuddyer is currently injured for the Mets and hasn’t been terribly productive even when healthy.
mwk89
Pirates could really make sense as that NL team, given Polanco’s struggles
Ray Ray
Giants makes sense as well with Aoki hurt and the Mets also seriously need some offense.
taffe316 2
It would be kind of ironic if they got Travis Snider back lol
User 4245925809
Fail to see any trade value in that trio, just DFA material, just like they did with De Aza, who had nearly the same numbers (or better) than any of those and plays same/better defense.
not to mention clubhouse cancer delmon Young, who managed to get himself ran out of TB, Minesota, Detroit and Philly. Think some team will give anything up at ALL, much less pay him 2m for one of the worst defensive corner OF guys in the league for a known a known verbal racist, who makes his grievances public, as well as every other issue that pops into his head and the guy isn’t even hitting?
eric e.
While I agree Delmon has had a troubled past, he has been a model player for the orioles the past 2 years. He isn’t getting consistent playing time but he was one of their better clutch players last year, and he has a great/accurate arm. He is also faster than some people think and he isn’t a lost cause. I think there is a market for him. You’re not going to get much back, and the fact that he could be a DFA candidate will certainly influence whether a trade will happen, but if more than one team is interested then you may get a spare part back. Just my opinion
jbroks86
Orioles got some good value of De Aza with Gunkel. Didn’t think the O’s get anything that could help them down the line. Delmon even with his character issues has had a good bat, he overthrew the cutoff man too much for my liking but there no doubt he can’t help some NL team and get something back least with the value Gunkel had.
User 4245925809
I like the Orioles, it’s not a dislike of them being my original post, just them thinking could/can get any appreciable prospect for any of that collection is going too far and will disput Gunkel as a likely prospect as well.. he might end up as a 6-7thIP reliever if all the breaks go his way along the lines, but that will be pushing it.
Boston has an organization full of guys exactly like him.. 2-3 pitch mix with FB sitting in the 89-90mph range which MUST have pinpoint control to get by. Will be interesting to see how he does vs LH hitters also as he gets into AA ball, which he has always struggled against.
Am thinking Baltimore more than likely hangs onto Pierce (for now) and hopes for a resurgence until they can find some kind of corner OF that can actually produce. None of this motley collection combined (including the earlier DFA’d De Aza) contributed anything worthwhile on offense and very little on defense.
jbroks86
I never really said Gunkel was a prospect, I was even surprised they could get anything that could possibly be used at the Majors. He could help down the line as middle innings reliever or he could bust, doesn’t really hurt when got for a player who was DFA’ed.
Yeah, it was too much asking Pearce/Snider/De Aza/Young to replace the production of last year. Though, Pearce, does look like his bat is coming around as he had a good June, Snider was looking well in June and was good in the 2nd half last year+plus has exceeded what I expected on defense(I mean he’s no GG’er). They really need to know when to play Pearce and Snider really. Will say I wasn’t really impressed with giving De Aza the $6.5M and it was a big stretch to say Delmon would hit as well in 15 than 14.
I can’t see us adding a OF via trade this deadline, though Duquette always surprises me so IDK. So that means unless DD makes a move, were going to have and play the hand we have.
citizen
can you please post the stats of OF Soon.
sascoach2003
^ OH YES!!! Epic
gomerhodge71
I wouldn’t miss Lough terribly if I were Duquette. Pearce wasn’t expected to duplicate 2014, but has been decent and Young has done pretty well.
jbroks86
You would if heaven forbid they had something day to day with Jones. Like when he was out for the most part of a week. You’re telling me Pearce or Reimold to play as well as Snider in center?
jbroks86
Lough I mean
btuck2
Shouldve gotten rid of Pearce
jbroks86
Why? Pearce has given them a lot of flexibility being able to play 1B, the corner OF spots, and second this year. His bat has turned around in June and he is hitting RHP?