Spurned by Fowler, Where do O’s Turn for OF Help Now?

Well, not even 24 hours into the debacle that was “Dexter Fowler’s Flip” you probably still feel pretty mad or frustrated about the situation. That’s fine, I feel your pain and frustration as well, over this “horrible,” “indecisive,” or “(insert any awful adjective)” move by Fowler and his agent Casey Close. For the past two days, you assumed that Mr. Fowler had agreed to deal of three years and $33 million and all was well in Birdland. That wasn’t the case apparently, as Fowler said today unfortunately that he passed on the offer and the rumors were false as he signed a one-year deal worth $8 million with an option for $9 million next season or a $5 million buyout.

My personal favorite comment from this saga was by Close, who called the Orioles “irresponsible” for not denying the report that his client had signed with the Orioles and saying the media members reporting the signing were inaccurate. Really, it was Mr. Close who was “irresponsible” or inaccurate on his story as he didn’t himself deny the report while speculation grew for two days as it seemed that Fowler would be signing with the O’s. Adam Jones texted back and forth with Fowler with the idea that he would be in the great Sarasota sunlight wearing Orange and Black, but it was a sad ending. But if you asked Mr. Close, he would say Jones and the local reporters were fools?

Sorry Casey, that’s not the…case. /rimshot

But the past is the past, and it’s time to look for someone better and more committed than Dexter Fowler. So I decided to play “The Dating Game” for options in right field and to examine all top available free agent and trade candidates that could fit in the Orioles’ plan. So sit back and let’s meet the power hitting, great fielding and/or base-stealing candidates that could grace the outfield grass of OPACY this season.

Let’s introduce our first candidate: Austin Jackson.

This 29-year-old is an free agent, who just played for Seattle and the Chicago Cubs last season. In 2015, he batted .272, with eight HRs and 38 RBIs with a .312 OBP and also swiped 15 bags for the Mariners, but only batted .236 with one HR and 10 RBIs with a .304 OBP and two SBs in Chicago after he was traded to the Cubs on August 31^st for a PTBNL and international slot money.

Jackson spent a majority of his time with the Tigers, playing five seasons there before being traded to the Mariners in the July 2014 trade that included David Price. His best season was in 2012, when he hit.300, with 16 HRs and 66 RBIs, and had 12 SBs for the 1^st place Detroit Tigers. He is seen as a great defensive outfielder with great speed on the base paths. (Update: He just declined a one year deal with the Angels in the $5-6 million range, as he and his agent Scott Boras – oh dear lord – are looking for more money.)

Let’s welcome our second candidate: Jay Bruce.

Bruce is currently playing with the Cincinnati Reds but is being shopped as a trade candidate. He was almost dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays in a three-team deal that was scratched due to an injury to one of the Blue Jays’ prospects in the deal. He is currently due to be paid $12.5 million for this season with an option of $13 million for next season.

Bruce batted .226 for the Reds last season with 26 HRs and 87 RBIs and a .294 OBP. His batting numbers have declined since his 2013 season where he hit .262 with 30 HRs and 109 RBIs. Bruce is also a two-time All-Star. The Reds are trying to move the power-hitting outfielder to reduce their payroll, and the Orioles have been rumored to be a potential destination. Still, there remains concern over the prospects that would be needed to complete the deal for Bruce.

Third candidate: David Murphy.

The 34-year-old outfielder is currently a free agent after playing for Cleveland and the Angels this past season. He batted .296, with five HRs and 27 RBIs with a .344 OBP for the Indians, and he also batted .263 with five HRs and 23 RBIs and a .281 OBP with the Angels after being traded to Los Angeles for minor league shortstop Eric Stamets in a July trade.

Murphy has also played for Boston and Texas, where he had his best season in 2008, batting .275 with 15 HRs and 74 RBIs with seven SBs. He is seen as a left-handed outfield platoon candidate, but his batting numbers have declined over the past few seasons. A fun fact about Murphy is that he has pitched two innings in his career – one for the Rangers in 2013 and another for the Indians in 2015.

Our fourth candidate is Will Venable.

The 33-year-old lefty is a free agent, after spending time with the Padres and Rangers last season. He has played the majority of his career with San Diego, where he batted .258 with six HR and 30 RBI with 11 SB and a .318 OBP last season, before being traded to the Rangers in August for catcher Marcus Greene and a PTBNL. In Texas, he hit .182 in a limited outfield role with three HR , five RBI, five SB and .325 OBP. His best season was with the Padres in 2013 where he batted .268 with 22 HR, 53 RBI and 22 SB, and was named Padres Team MVP. He is seen as a bounce back candidate with a lot of potential who can still play centerfield if needed.

Our fifth Candidate is Pedro Alvarez.

Alvarez is our only non-outfielder. The 29-year-old is coming off six seasons as a Pittsburgh Pirate. He hit .243 with 27 HR and 77 RBI this past season, before not being tendered a contract for 2016. He is a one-time all-star from his 2013 season where he hit .233 with 36 HR and 100 RBI, and a .318 OBP. Alvarez has been rumored as a target for the Orioles all offseason because of his power numbers, but he would only be considered as a designated hitter and not as a first baseman because of his poo defensive skills. It’s enticing to imagine the damage that he could do at OPACY, as he was projected by baseball reference with the possibility of hitting 27 HR and 71 RBI this upcoming season.

Our sixth candidate is Shane Victorino, “the Flying Hawaiian.”

The 35-year-old right-handed outfielder is a free agent in his 10^th season. Last season, he played with Boston where he batted .245 in 33 games of action with one HR and five RBI, then was traded to the Angels for shortstop Josh Rutledge in a July trade. In Anaheim, he played an outfield platoon role and hit .214 with three RBI and two SB. He is known for his days with the Phillies where he was a two-time All-Star and a World Series Champion and more recently with the Red Sox where he was a member of the 2013 World Series Champions. His best season was in 2011 with the Phillies where he hit .279 with 17 HR and 61 RBI, and included 16 triples and 19 SB. His health and age are major concerns, but he could still provide a veteran bat off the bench or in a platoon role for a needy team.

The seventh and final candidate is Nick Markakis.

I know you’re probably saying, “Welp, here’s another Orioles fan with a problem of letting go of Markakis!”

My reply? Yes, I know.

BUT! It wouldn’t be a game show without an interesting surprise candidate, right?

So, here we go…

The 32-year-old left-handed outfielder would be a trade candidate from the Atlanta Braves. He just signed a four-year, $44 million deal with the Braves prior to 2015. Nick in another color still brings nightmares for many O’s fans. Markakis in his first season with the Braves batted .296 with three HR and 53 RBI and a .370 OBP. His best season was as an Oriole where he hit .300 with 23 HR and 112 RBI in 2007. He was a two-time Gold Glover in 2011 and 2014 and a fan favorite as evidenced during his return to Baltimore this past July. A possible trade was pursued in November, but it looks like the talks have died since then. I personally still consider the trade as an option, because the Braves are rebuilding and heading into a brand new ballpark so the option can’t be called dead yet.

This late in the offseason, these are the top candidates for the O’s to find their match.

Will Dan Duquette and Buck Showalter choose any of these potential suitors?

[cardoza_wp_poll id=”120″]

Or, comment below and tell me who you think is the best candidate to play RF or use as a DH heading into April.