Two weeks from today, millions of kids around the world will be waking up and racing to the tree to see if Santa brought them the things they want this Christmas. Most of them are asking for new toys to play with.
As we get older, we don’t write to Santa – instead, we ask the Baseball Gods for gifts. This holiday season, Oriole fans want some new toys for Buck Showalter and to get rid of some old ones come the 2017 season.
It should come as no surprise that the O’s left the MLB Winter Meetings with the same roster, plus a couple Rule 5 picks. That’s been a given almost every year. What we did learn from Dan Duquette is that the franchise is analyzing the market and will make moves when the time is right. That has been the Orioles way since Duquette and Showalter came to Baltimore.
The front office is putting feelers out there for the league to watch. The GM and Skip were not shy to discuss some of the rumors floating around at the meetings. They admitted that teams were interested in members of the bullpen. Many corner outfielders were a major part of the talks throughout the week. Some big name players are asking for monster contracts in the upcoming seasons.
So what is an Orioles fan looking for this year? Let’s come up with our – or should I say my – Christmas wish list.
Wieters back in an O’s uniform
This is starting to look like it could be a game of chicken between the two sides. Matt Wieters bet on himself when he took the qualifying offer for $15.8 million last season. He hoped that he could have a career year and cash out after his final season in Baltimore. Wieters had a decent campaign, but the talk of him earning elite money has significantly died down.
That could play into the Orioles’ hands. It was once believed that there was no chance that the switch-hitting catcher would be back in orange and black. The fact is the market is not there for Wieters. He wants a deal similar to that of Russell Martin and Brian McCann – both signed five-year deals over $80 million – and Baltimore will not pay that price. Nor should they.
The top contract for a catcher during this year’s free agency has been Jason Castro‘s three-year, $24.5 million deal with the Minnesota Twins. Wilson Ramos signed a two-year, $12.5 million that includes incentives to make up to $18.25 million. I am no math guy, but both of those numbers are well under $10 million per year and a lot less than what Martin and McCann signed for.
If Wieters and the club can meet somewhere in the middle, it makes sense for all parties involved. Wieters gets his money and gets to stay with the team that groomed him. For the club, it would be better to keep a proven veteran like Wieters over the unknown that is Chance Sisco.
Trade a reliever for an outfielder
We have heard plenty of rumors surrounding the Orioles and a corner outfielder. Several teams have inquired about Brad Brach as a potential trade piece. Count me in if the return is worthy.
Hell, some want to take it one step further. Brach is not eligible for free agency until 2019. Zach Britton is likely gone next season. Why not take offers for Britton for say… Andrew McCutchen? It is no secret that the Pittsburgh Pirates are in the market for a closer with Mark Melancon now in San Francisco. The O’s would have McCutchen for two years and get a quality return for Britton leaving.
The Pirates might not go for that trade straight up or be willing to reach a long-term deal with Britton, but the idea of the O’s parting ways with their star closer is starting to be a hot topic in Baltimore. That’s not saying I would make that type of deal even though it makes sense for both parties.
The O’s have built one of the deepest bullpens in the game and has some pieces that can acquire talent in return. What they need is an everyday right fielder. A Nick Markakis-type player – Charlie Blackmon is someone I would love to see in an Orioles uniform – who doesn’t command a high salary. If trading Brach or anyone else in the bullpen gets them that guy, go for it.
Trade one of the starting pitchers
No, I am not talking about dealing Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy or Chris Tillman. They are the future of the rotation. But the O’s have six starters for five spots. Something has to give.
So basically, between Ubaldo Jimenez, Wade Miley and Yovani Gallardo, who gets the most in return? All are on the final year of their contracts so they will not garner significant prospects, but anything is better than nothing.
The O’s were close to dealing Jimenez to the San Diego Padres for Melvin Upton last season in basically a contract swap, and maybe they can find another suitor for him. Gallardo was hurt for much of last season so it’s possible that some team still sees value in him. Miley had a strong September, but was otherwise blah after coming over from Seattle.
One of these guys will not be part of five-man rotation to start the season. It’s best to get something for them before being faced with the task of releasing one of them or paying huge money for a long reliever.
Sign Machado to a long-term deal
This should be at the top of every fan’s wish list, but for the sake of you reading this whole piece, I placed it on the bottom. Every day that Manny Machado does not get a new deal, his price tag will continue to rise. But what is it going to take to get him to stay in Charm City?
Bryce Harper has reportedly asked for $400 million from the Washington Nationals. That’s a lot of bread. And call me a bit of a homer, but Machado brings more to the table. Is this a number that Machado’s camp is looking for? That has already sparked the New York media’s talk of Manny playing in pinstripes in a few years.
There will be at least five players making $30 million or more per year by 2018 – Clayton Kershaw, Mike Trout, Zack Greinke, Miguel Cabrera and David Price. And while $400 million is an absurd number, getting Machado over $300 million is what it’s going to take to keep him in Baltimore. To (kind of) quote Rounders, “pay that Manny his money.”
Again, this is just one person’s Christmas list. What is on yours?
O’s photos by Craig Landefeld, GulfBird Photo
