Reality: Many who criticized the Orioles all offseason have quickly changed their tunes in recent weeks.
Perception: It’s been a crazy offseason for the Orioles. For all the bad press in December and January, the Orioles have spent very wisely all winter, and it’s crazy how much difference a few key signings can make.
John Heyman of CBSsports.com says the Orioles are the #1 winner this off-season. There is not one person in the world that would have said that before February 1, but the Orioles patience has paid off. Waiting enabled them to sign South Korean right-hander Suk-min Yoon and the waiting also helped them to get quality guys to fill big holes at a much cheaper price in Ubaldo Jimenez and Nelson Cruz.
Reality: The Orioles are not done signing players yet.
Perception: There has been talk for weeks that the Orioles were interested in Ervin Santana. But yesterday another Santana may have made a new home in Baltimore. The Instagram of Eduardo Rodriguez has a picture of he and Johan Santana together in the Orioles spring training clubhouse with the caption: Mis respetos a esta persona que desde niño siempre fue mi Ãdolo y gracias a dios hoy tengo la oportunidad de tenerlo de compañero de equipo Johan Santana lets go.
According to Spanish.Dictionary.com the translation is roughly: My respects to this person (Santana) since I was a child, as he was always my idol. Thanks to God, today, I have the opportunity to have him as my teammate. Let’s go!
Evidently, Rodriguez knew something no one else did. Since that post, the Orioles have admitted they are talking to the former Cy Young Winner about a minor league deal, but nothing officially has been announced. Many of the O’s beat reporters, including Britt Ghiroli, Eduardo Encina, and Roch Kubatko have said that a deal is close.
I’ve already has people asking me, “Is he a potential starter?” No. He won’t be ready for the start of the season, and the Orioles have five quality starters already. This Santana (Johan) would be a candidate to be a lefty out of the bullpen. I’ve also seen the “What a waste of money” comments. Really? How is it a waste of money? He will sign for the veteran minimum. With no salary cap, he’s not taking anyone else’s money. If he doesn’t perform, he gets cut and it’s a very minimal loss. But if he can be half of what he was a few years ago, it will be a huge pick-up for a team with playoff aspirations.
Reality: Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com tweeted: Is that definitely the only Santana for the Orioles? Buck said if he said yes it would be “less than honest”. Still some irons in that fire.
Perception: The Orioles aren’t knocking down doors to sign Ervin Santana, but they will have no problem with signing him if he falls into their lap.
Roch Kubatko from MASNsports.com offered this in a recent blog entry:
From what I’ve gathered, the Orioles were comfortable offering him a three-year deal in the $30 million range, but Santana’s camp kept trying to squeeze a fourth year out of them. He reportedly is seeking around $50 million, which doesn’t interest the Orioles. Talks appeared to be dead, but how long is he willing to remain on the market?
Would he wait until after the June draft, when teams no longer would have to surrender a pick? His agent, Bean Stringfellow indicated recently that it could happen. The Orioles don’t seem to care about the pick, a third-rounder now that they’ve signed Jimenez and Cruz. It’s all about the years and the money.
The Orioles may not have signed the #1 guy that we are all looking for this winter, but after grabbing Jimenez, if they signed Ervin Santana, they would have two new quality starters to help their rotation. It could mean one of their younger and cheaper starters get left out of the rotation, but as I’ve said before…you can never have enough pitching, and competition is good for the team. If his price falls, I’d be fine with the Orioles taking a chance on him.
Reality: Spring Training is spring training for both teams, so you can’t read a lot into it.
Perception: However, some players have more to play for, and right now Jonathan Schoop is trying to prove he belongs with the Orioles and not with the Norfolk Tides. He is now 4-for-6 in four games, to go along with two home runs in intrasquad games.
Going into the spring, Ryan Flaherty was expected to be the Orioles starting second baseman, with Jemile Weeks and/or Alexi Castilla backing him up as a utility fielder or in the minors. Schoop has played well, but like I said, it’s spring training for both teams, so he’s not facing the same pitching he would face during the season. Still, it definitely makes for good fodder for the next couple of weeks.
image: Craig Landefeld
