Orioles yet to make a big splash at winter meetings
This much is clear: the Mark Reynolds trade hasn't exactly dazzled Orioles Village.
And you can certainly understand why. The slugging third baseman is definitely not without his flaws. There's the .198 batting average last year. The 200-plus strikeouts in each of the last three seasons. The rep as an average fielder at best.
But I'll take this deal -- at least for its potential -- because the Orioles are so desperate for some pop in the middle of their batting order.
The bottom line for me: the guy his 104 home runs and drove in 284 runs the past three seasons. That's an average of 35 homers and 95 RBI over that span. If he hits those numbers or better over the next three years, it's a good deal for the O's -- the batting average and strikeouts be damned.
So I'm OK with the trade -- and giving up relievers David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio -- even if a lot of fans seem ambivalent over it.
Where I really think the Orioles dropped the ball was in letting Ty Wigginton get away to the Colorado Rockies.
The guy is only 33, can play anywhere for you, still has pop in his bat (22 homers and a club-leading 76 RBI last season) and is a tremendous presence in the clubhouse.
Even if the Reynolds signing meant Wiggy wouldn't be playing third -- and even if the club intends to sign a slugging first baseman as rumored (I know, I know . . . you'll believe it when you see it) -- Wiggington would have been a valuable asset for Buck Showalter's team next season.
Good luck in Colorado, Wiggy. I think your old team in Baltimore is really going to miss you.
Comments
I wouldn't be surprised to see Wigginton back with the O's some day. He strikes me to be a Jeff Conine kind of guy who keeps going away and coming back. Similar kind of play all around now that I think about it.
Posted by: Ben S. | December 7, 2010 12:33 PM
Why in God's name Cowherd would Wiggy stay on this crappy team as a utility player? He'd only stay as a starting first baseman which he is not. Good riddance.
Posted by: eric | December 7, 2010 12:34 PM
The guy is "only" 33? Actually, that's starting to "get up there" in baseball years...and I seem to have had a few "Bad News Bears" flashbacks when it came time for Wiggy to dive (better said, fall) for the ball? Yes, Ty was a great presence in the clubhouse, a throwback to the days when baseball players cared more about the game then they did their commercial endorsements and stock portfolios. But you've got to have more than a presence in a clubhouse. And he wasn't going to get a two year guaranteed contract here. Ty was going to be, at best, a utility player for this club. Unless you're an effective backup for Brian Roberts (which, let's face it, Ty wasn't), you're not going to be a priority for Mr. MacPhail. So long Ty, enjoy Colorado--I lived there myself for a few years in the mid 90s!--and let's see what the O's brain trust comes up with next: first baseman, relievers, veteran starter, and a shortstop please!
Posted by: maxmorf | December 7, 2010 12:41 PM
Kevin,
Given the potentially available free agents in next years class, is it better to trade players this year or wait until next year and bid on them?
Available 1B.
Albert Pujols
Nick Swisher
Prince Fielder
Mike Cuddyer
Available SS.
Jose Reyes
Jimmy Rollins
Jason Bartlett
Rafael Furcal
Marco Scutaro
Obviousley some of these will be traded before free agency hits.
Obviousely there is the issue can the Orioles sign players long term on the free agent market. Another issue is the limited amount of trading chips needed to land a decent player via trade.
Personally if I were pulling the strings I would up the Konerko offer and make it so he can't turn it down, sort of how the Nats did with Werth, or if that doesn't work sign Adam LaRoche. I hear Konerko is only being offered $12.5 MM for 3 years by the White Sox, certainly we should be able to offer 4 years and $60-$65 MM wouldn't you think?
I think we could survive with a new 1B and resign Izturis and see what is available next year.
I agree losing Ty Wiggington is huge. I have always liked Ty and thought he was a highly underated player who didn't get enough playing time anywhere he went. He is however not a SS or 2B and it always made me wonder why Trembley would constantly put him out there. Then again he wasn't the greatest manager we ever had now was he?
Posted by: George Harman | December 7, 2010 1:05 PM
I agree with you, Kevin. Let me ask you the same question I asked Jeff. I see in the New York papers that the Nationals are ready to offer Cliff Lee a seven year contract. If the Orioles want to make a splash and show the world they intend to take on the Bankees and Red Sox, why not go hard after Lee? Like Peter S. has suggested at least it will make the Yankees spend more of their budget to get him than they want.
Posted by: Mike | December 7, 2010 1:17 PM
"Oriole Village": that's about the size of it these days, I'm afraid.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 7, 2010 1:46 PM
How big a splash do you need? Are you thinking belly flop splash? Reynolds is likely to be as big a splash as you'll get (okay, Fielder would splash bigger in more ways than one). Bartlett would be a signficant ripple. Pena or Laroche a bit more...
Posted by: DonM | December 7, 2010 2:26 PM
This article is a joke right? Do yourself a favor and read Fangraphs. Better yet, does us all a favor and go back to the Metro Section.
Posted by: Lenny | December 7, 2010 2:46 PM
Now here's a novel idea. The O's haven't spent a nickel so far. Why not SHOCK THE UNIVERSE and pay a fortune to get Crawford. Shock them all. And we could sure use him.
Posted by: Lunatic | December 7, 2010 3:55 PM
As I've said before, for those who want Izturis why not ask Bordick to come out of retirement? A better glove and no worse stick!
Posted by: johnny c | December 7, 2010 5:57 PM
I just read that the White Sox and Kornerko are at an impasse and that the Sox are moving in a different direction.
Just go after this guy please. Sign him and put this 1st base thing to bed.
Go after Soriano and other relievers maybe some low hanging fruit starter, call it a day and see you in Florida.
Posted by: Jay from Connecticut | December 8, 2010 1:23 AM
Hasnt this been the headline for the past 7 yrs ?
DIsgraceful
Sell the team, Angelos
What a malaka
Posted by: What about the MASN money ? | December 9, 2010 1:39 PM