The Orioles announced that they’ve acquired infielder Engelb Vielma from the Giants in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com had reported just a minute or so prior that the two sides had completed a minor trade (Twitter link).
It’s been a busy few months for Vielma, who has gone from the Twins to the Giants to the Phillies to the Pirates and back to the Giants before today’s trade. The switch-hitting infielder doesn’t come with Major League experience, and hasn’t hit much in the minors. However, scouting reports tout his excellent defensive skills, making him a possible option for the Orioles, who are in need of a utility infielder.
Vielma, 23, has spent the vast majority of his career in the minors playing shortstop, though he also has experience at both second base and third base. He’s a career .256/.316/.302 hitter in the minors and spent the 2017 season between the Twins’ Double-A and Triple-A affiliate, posting a combined .229/.273/.280 batting line in 455 plate appearances.
acarneglia
Watch this guy never play a game at the big league level
dimitriinla
Nice pickup by a savvy team. In need of defense and this certainly helps in that regard. And a depth/contingency move re Beckham (if his glove doesn’t work out or if they (one hopes) move Machado out of town.
parkdav
Can’t remember the last time I heard the Orioles call savvy.
parkdav
*called
mvpetro
Hope he could become Ronald Torreyes like
sonnyboyterry
Torrey’s has become a real nice utility infielder.
jbigz12
Come on lets call this what it is. A depth move for the minors. Guy can’t hit a lick and has been in 4 different org. In a month. He’s not playing SS for the O’s.
jdgoat
If this guy ends up on the o’s big league roster, the front office didn’t do their job. They are not a savvy front office, they’re a train wreck
wrigleywannabe
just like you
TradeAcuna
in b4 all the sarcastic posts start to flood!
badco44
Pass around pack!
baltimore buddy
Been a fan since 59 (yes 1959) it’s getting hard to continue
bigcubsfan
Orioles acquire an infielder? This make a Machado trade much more likely.
wrigleywannabe
no
badco44
Someone remind Balt that they need some pitching!
dimitriinla
I’m sure they’re working hard at that. Its actually a very competent FO, just deals to their liking haven’t come through. In the meantime, adding defense can only help—especially with the uncertain state of their pitching.
Solaris601
I think Duquette truly believes those rotation holes are gonna fill themselves.
Jean Matrac
I see this same sort of comment all the time. It’s like the need is felt to post something negative, and this is the best they can do. Why is chronology important? FOs work on multiple needs concurrently. Should a team not acquire what could be a useful piece until the biggest needs are filled in rank of priority?
Sorry, we can see you being useful, but we have to find at least one SP, an outfielder and someone for the bullpen first. So please just sit on your hands until we get down to your level of need.
osandravens830
I am surprised it’s not for international bonus money!
Jean Matrac
It still could be.
SFGiants4ever
That’s what I was hoping it was for, after the Giants have given away quite a bit in their trades this off season. Even 25,000 in international money would be a help.
nste23
I see the orioles winning the AL East now
wrigleywannabe
I see you winning most original comment
landsend
Over the top!! This does it.
dimitriinla
Kinda funny!
Phillies2017
I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s on the move again seeing as how the best team he has been claimed by ranked 20th in the standings.
E munchy
Wow I can’t imagine why this wasn’t kept secret till this weekend’s fan fest!
HA
To think that the front office wasted time on this nothing happening deal instead of working on something that could help the team is pathetic. This could have waited till next never-ary. Pathetic bro
wrigleywannabe
right, because they can only work on one at a time and this prevented them from doing a single other move. Yep, you’re pathetic
jmorgan
The irony of this comment being that you are pathetic enough to reply to every single comment who doesn’t share your opinion.
camdenyards46
Why is everyone freaking out about a depth move? And it’s not like they put all of their resources into it. Waiver claims and minor league trades happen all the time. You’re pathetic.
hiflew
Trading for guy that has been waived four times in three months. Seems like an Orioles move. I’m surprised they didn’t throw in international bonus money.
Rallyshirt
Dude rack miles.
MrStealYoBase
*Sees notification*
*Googles “Angel Velma”*
[…]
*Googles “Engelb Vielma”*
Jack Taddy
This guy is getting passed around more than a beach ball at a Nickleback concert
Thurman8er
Every time I see this name, I think someone accidentally spelled it backwards.
Santee Alley
I always think Engelbert Humperdinck. Maybe this guy’s middle name is Humperd.
lowtalker1
Lol
Where does he go next?
bosox90
Every time I see this guys name I feel like I’m doing the daily jumble
Ironman_4life
I really think this is the move that’s going to put the Orioles over the top
wrigleywannabe
did you come up with that all by yourself?
Ironman_4life
No me and your mom are sitting in the hot tub and we came up with it together
countregular 2
his middle name is Stalin?
yankeeaddiction
Would have liked to see the Cubs pick him up as insurance for their beleaguered infield.
jdgoat
Bad attempt
wrigleywannabe
I think you have another addiction.
michaelw
Why do worry about the Cubs so much. Are a creepy stalker or just obsessed. Worry about your team not the Cubs. No cares about your childish troll post you post every hour in the Cubs. You need serious help.
mgrap84
Wow what awesome news…. Not
wrigleywannabe
wow your comment was awesome…not
J leathal86
Bro why are you all over these comments let people comment as they will I think your Peter angelos himself and your mad at all the negativity which they have the right to be this team is trending in the wrong direction and Angelo’s and dd need to go now argue against that
whitemule70
This news guarantees the Orioles will win the World Series and go undefeated.
jd396
I feel bad for whoever has to do this kid’s taxes
J leathal86
Hahahaha
Dustin E
Here is the real info on his name (if only all of these teams knew the real truth):
twinsdaily.com/blog/483/entry-8757-twins-admit-eng…