Reality: The Baltimore Orioles signed Heath Bell to a minor league contract.
Perception: Bell made his debut with the Norfolk Tides over the weekend and pitched a 1-2-3-inning, throwing just eight pitches and six for strikes. But some are still asking… Why sign Heath Bell?
As Roch Kubatko said, “It was a no-risk minor league deal. A classic Dan Duquette depth signing. Bell could be Dontrelle Willis, Miguel Tejada, Jaime Moyer or Conor Jackson. Insert your favorite veteran who never made it to Baltimore. Or maybe he’s Nate McLouth, Lew Ford, Freddy Garcia, Steve Tolleson or a host of others who contributed to some degree.”
Bell was released earlier this season by the Rays, so there is a good chance he isn’t an upgrade over anyone the Orioles currently have and that it won’t work out. But what if something changes and Bell becomes effective for the rest of the season? Then the Orioles get a late-inning veteran who can help for very little expense.
The O’s have another veteran trying to work his way back to the majors. Johan Santana’s signing was the same as Bell’s… low risk, high reward. He has a May 30th opt-up clause, so we should see some action from him very soon. He could be another effective late-inning pitcher.
Reality: David Lough is hitting just .177/.235/.228, with two 2B, one 3B, and 0 HR.
Perception: It may be time to give up on Lough.
If you follow me on Twitter, then you may know that earlier this season, I was the president of the “David Lough for Orioles Everyday Left Fielder” Fan Club.
I really liked the offseason move of picking up Lough. Left Field was a tough position for the Orioles last year. Lough was faster and younger than McLouth and he had more potential at the plate. But Lough is really struggling this year. He makes some nice plays in the field, but at the plate he has really hurt the club.
It would be perfect if Lough could get sent down to the minors to try to correct a few things, but he is out of options so he would have to pass through waivers if the Orioles wanted to send him down… and even as poor as he may be playing, they would probably lose him (based on potential) if they exposed him to waivers. But I think it’s time to at least hide him on the bench, as they did with Ryan Flaherty two seasons ago. Lough could come in as a late inning replacement in games that we have the lead.
Lough is out of options and will not be cut. They will give him a chance to turn things around. But with Steve Lombardozzi playing so well in Norfolk and playing some LF, Lough might be running out of time.
I know Buck Showalter won’t go for this because he likes to switch things up, but I think Nelson Cruz needs to be the Orioles everyday left fielder.
Which leads me directly to my next point…
Reality: The Orioles have too many options off the bench, but none are getting used.
Perception: Steve Pearce is the perfect example. He played extremely well when he was filling in for Chris Davis. Frankly, in his limited play time this year, you could say he’s been a lot better than Davis this season. Now, hear me out… I’m not saying to bench Davis, but I am saying the Pearce deserves more playing time. If you put Cruz in as your everyday left fielder, then you free up the DH position, and Pearce has earned it. Pearce has hit .271 but had three doubles and three home runs in just 15 games. Davis in 30 games only has three homers.
If you put Pearce as your every day DH, then Delmon Young is out of the lineup – and he deserves better, too. Young is hitting .290 with three doubles and a home run in 19 games. The Birds just have too many options, which is not a bad thing, but when those options are producing yet still not getting playing time, something needs to change.
If the Orioles are truly looking for a backup catcher, maybe it’s time to trade to trade Young, Lough, or one of their other bench players to try to get a backup catcher. I’d rather they do that than trade away a bullpen arm.
