The Orioles have traded Yovani Gallardo and the always popular cash considerations to Seattle for outfielder Seth Smith. ESR staff react to the trade:
Derek Arnold
It sure seems like Dan Duquette has a pretty good relationship with the Seattle front office. There was Clevenger-for-Trumbo last offseason, then Wade Miley for Ariel Miranda last July, and now this.
According to Roch, the Birds save about $4 million in this deal. Seth Smith gives them a lefty bat who can get on base, and we don’t have to watch Gallardo implode every fifth day again.
Seems like a win-win to me.
Phil Backert
The Orioles needed a leadoff hitter and a right fielder and they accomplish both with this trade. The team also had six starters so this eliminates that issue as well. Seth Smith would have been third on the team in OBP last year behind Hyun-Soo Kim and Manny Machado so it appears they could have three hitters with the potential to get on base at a strong rate to set the table for Chris Davis and Adam Jones. The money saved could also mean Mark Trumbo returns as the designated hitter.
Joe Polek
This is absolutely a no-brainer for the Orioles, and a head-scratcher for the Mariners. The Orioles get a good outfielder that hits from the left side of the plate. They also save money. And they get rid of one of their starting pitchers. Oh, and they also save money. What is there not to like?
Jonathan French
Seth Smith gives the Orioles a left-handed bat they need in the top of the lineup and in right field. He’s got a great plate approach with career O-Swing% of only 26.4% and he’s been a solid defender in right field with +4 DRS over the last 3 seasons. The fact they got him for Gallardo, likely their worst starter, and cash just makes the deal sweeter.
It’s surprising that the Mariners would do a trade like this when there were so many starting pitchers on the market that would be cheaper and potentially better than Gallardo. The Mariners’ questionable move though will likely be to the Orioles’ benefit once again and that’s all that matters.
Joe Serpico
The O’s have been pretty successful at making trades with the Seattle Mariners and getting the upper hand in those deals. The front office is hopeful they have won another swap in consecutive years.
The a move that makes sense for both clubs as Seattle was searching for a middle-of-the-rotation starter, while the O’s get rid of their logjam of starting pitchers.
Baltimore also gets the lefty corner outfielder they have been searching for throughout the offseason. Smith plays terrific defense (ranked fifth among outfielders in fielding percentage) and hit .249/.342/.415 with 16 home runs and a career-high 63 RBI in 137 games with the Mariners last season.
Much like the deal for Trumbo last year, Smith gives Buck Showalter some flexibility based on what transpires the rest of the offseason. Trumbo was the insurance policy in case Chris Davis did not return. Now, Smith is the backup plan if Trumbo heads elsewhere.
It was widely speculated all offseason that a pitcher would likely be on the move, but it was unsure who would be the guy. Someone had to go between Gallardo, Wade Miley and Ubaldo Jimenez, and the O’s have made their move. It took some time, but we know what the rotation will look like come Opening Day.
The question that remains is whether Trumbo comes back or not. Either way, Baltimore has a contingency plan in Smith.
