Waiting for the O’s to make a move

Another day in free agency, and not much movement from the Orioles. They signed reliever Ryan Webb and saw two players who they hoped to retain from last year sign elsewhere.

The Sun’s Dan Connolly reported that outfielder and fan favorite Nate McLouth signed a two-year deal worth $10.75 million with the crosstown Washington Nationals. McLouth will primarily platoon as a fourth outfielder taking the spot that was held by local product Steve Lombardozzi who was included in the Nationals trade to Detroit. McLouth’s deal seems like a lot of money for an outfielder who will come off the bench and who is known for having a below average arm. Since joining the ball club in the middle of the 2012 season, McLouth brought energy, hustle, speed, and great hair to the team. He earned a new nickname, “Base Bandit,” and came to the ballpark ready to play every day. He may be igniting his “#Nattitude” now, but he will always have a fan in me.

The other Oriole free agent to sign elsewhere today was starting pitcher Scott Feldman. Feldman was pretty much a rental for the 2013 season coming over mid summer from the Chicago Cubs in the Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop deal. Feldman signed a three-year $30 million deal with the Houston Astros. In my opinion it is way too much for a lower end of the rotation pitcher who went a combined 5-6 with a 4.27 ERA after he came over to the American League last season. One of the best highlights of the season last season was watching Feldman dominate the White Sox and earning the Orioles’ first complete game of the year. Thanks for your time with the birds Scott.

Connolly also reported that executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed that the Orioles did not offer deals to either McLouth or Feldman, which may tick off some Oriole fans.

I believe both of these will be big losses for the Orioles, McLouth more so Feldman. Right now the candidates to start in left field are Steve Pearce, Henry Urrutia, Nolan Reimold, and newly-signed Francisco Peguero. Anyone there jump off the page at you? Didn’t think so. No one in that group scares anyone. Pearce and Reimold can’t stay healthy; Urrutia played decent during his call up, but is a liability in the field. He also makes Matt Wieters look fast. Peguero barely has a track record and doesn’t seem like a likely candidate to start.

With Feldman gone that leaves room in the rotation for someone to step up. Could they be giving Matusz another shot? Will Gausman impress Buck enough in spring training to earn another shot? Who takes over the closers role with Jim Johnson now in Oakland? Will we see Dylan Bundy in an Oriole uniform this year? No one knows these answers right now; hopefully soon we will have some answers.

Fans have been sitting and waiting for the Orioles to make a move. In the meantime, the Yankees and Red Sox are breaking the bank and spending like there’s no tomorrow. It is hard to sit here and watch the Orioles sign a cast off from the San Francisco Giants, while the Yankees add (overpay) Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran. Meanwhile the Red Sox sign reliever Edward Mujica and re-sign Mike Napoli. It isn’t a good feeling when you are watching other teams get better.

With left field, second base (do not tell me Jemile Weeks will be the starter), closer, another starting pitcher slot up for grabs, that shows there are a lot of holes in the team, not to mention next year they may have to find replacements for RF and C as well.

There were a lot of question marks at the end of last season and they have not been filled so far. There is plenty of time for the birds to go out and make a big signing (Shin-Soo Choo, Matt Garza, Ervin Santana) but I wouldn’t count on it. I hope they sign some talent and quick, but it is getting frustrating to see other teams making moves and the Orioles standing pat.

I’m not asking them to be the Toronto Blue Jays of last year and sign anyone and everyone that has ever touched a ball, they have to make some moves and add some pieces.

All we can do is wait; I’m confident that the Orioles will make the deals to improve this team. We just have to wait for it. The Orioles have the money, now they just have to spend it.