O’s Continue Search for a Corner Outfielder

It wouldn’t be the offseason in Baltimore if the Orioles were not searching for another corner outfielder. It seems as though this club is struggling to find a player they feel is worth a solid investment. The reality is the organization needs to make a decision on what type of player they want in right field next season.

It’s rare that you find a player capable of doing it all. Every team would love to have a Mike Trout, but that’s why he is regarded as one of the best players in baseball. So unless the O’s give up everything they have to get Trout, they must figure out what type of outfielder they want moving forward.

Mark Trumbo and Nelson Cruz have been additions who have brought power to the lineup. The team was willing to sacrifice the bombs over defense. While neither was spectacular in the field, it is not as if there is a bad defensive play from either guy that sticks out to any of us. They did not cost the Orioles games in the field, and you can argue each was the MVP for their respective seasons in black and orange.

You also have Nate McLouth, Alejandro De Aza and Michael Bourn. Three speedsters that play high-quality defense, but don’t put up the gaudy home run numbers. They brought a speed dynamic that the Orioles could desperately use after stealing just 19 bags in 2016. They are not stars, but play an important role to win ball games. That’s what this team is missing.

Buck Showalter has not had a true leadoff guy for most of his tenure in Baltimore, but that’s not to say he hasn’t tried to find one. However, it appears they are looking for that guy now. The talk in recent days has the Orioles linked to Rajai Davis, Angel Pagan and Ben Revere. All three would give Showalter a corner outfielder that also could cause havoc on the base paths as a leadoff hitter while not breaking the bank.

More importantly, these are guys who get on base. There has been a lot of talk about how Buck did not use Zach Britton and Ubaldo Jimenez giving up the game-winning homer, but the bats were nonexistent for most of the Wild Card playoff game in Toronto. They needed someone to get on and start a rally. Get someone on base that gets inside a pitcher’s head.

Should the O’s sign one of those guys or bring back Bourn, that does not necessarily mean Trumbo is out of the mix either. He is better suited to be a designated hitter, and following Edwin Encarnacion‘s deal with the Cleveland Indians, the two sides have the framework to get a deal done. It’s no secret that Baltimore’s brass has put an offer on the table – it’s up to the two parties to make it happen.

This club’s biggest weakness is not having a true leadoff hitter. Davis is garnering a lot of headlines because of the home run off Aroldis Chapman in Game 7 of the World Series, but it’s his defense and speed that has the Orioles’ interest. They need players who can get on base ahead of their heavy hitters. Davis would fit that role perfectly.

While the power has been entertaining, Dan Duquette must realize that a more balanced offense is what this club needs. Call me old fashioned, but small ball still wins games. Bring in the speedster and let’s have some fun on the base paths.