JOHAN SANTANA SIGNS WITH O’s
When the offseason began, it would have seemed crazy to think that Johan Santana would be signed to a new team before Ervin Santana. However, on Tuesday the Orioles agreed to a minor league deal with the former New York Met who missed all of 2011 following shoulder surgery in 2010, and all of 2013 after a second left shoulder procedure.
When healthy though, Santana has enjoyed a productive career. From 2004-2010 his ERA of 2.87 and 1,479 strikeouts were the best in baseball, and he also won two Cy Young awards during that span. In the first half of 2012 he seemed to have regained his form, pitching to an ERA under 3 and throwing the first no-hitter in Mets history on June 1, 2012.
Santana tweeted on Tuesday that he appreciated the opportunity, and that he was going to “do my best to comeback as quick as I can.” His deal is worth $3 million, but the contract can exceed $8 million in incentives if he makes 25+ starts and spends 120 games on the active roster. Santana is reportedly targeting a debut of June 1 with the team.
If Santana has anything left, he has a chance to make a significant impact for the Orioles this season, whether as a starter or as a lefty reliever in the bullpen. His fastball currently is topping out around 80 miles an hour, but his best pitch in his prime was his changeup, so if he can keep the pitches apart in speed he may still be successful.
MARKAKIS BULKING UP
After a disappointing 2013 season that began last Spring with a neck injury, right fielder Nick Markakis is hell-bent on bouncing back in 2014. Markakis’ numbers were down across the board offensively as he batted .271 with only 59 RBI and 10 home runs. His on base percentage, which will be critical to his success leading off this year, was far below his career average as well.
Markakis is not making excuses however, as he admits it was an unacceptable season by his standards and he has reportedly added 16 pounds since last season. That’s why he has spent the majority of the offseason working out with teammate Ryan Flaherty, starting just two weeks after last season ended, something Flaherty says is “what a veteran is supposed to be.”
Markakis is likely to become a free agent after the season, unless the Orioles decide to pick up his $17.5 million option for 2015, so this year will do a lot to determine the future of Markakis. Offensively he has declined for years, and he is now on the wrong side of 30 years old.
Markakis has also noted earlier this offseason that he hopes to remain with the Orioles after this season as well. His motivation as a team player caught the attention of manager Buck Showalter who said, “You can see it in his eyes every day…You look up sincere in the dictionary and put his name by it.”
SHOWALTER SPEAKS OUT IN SUPPORTOF DELMON YOUNG
When the Orioles signed Nelson Cruz, many assumed that he would be the team’s primary designated hitter. That would mean that Delmon Young, who was signed earlier this offseason, would have a tough time cracking the 25-man roster because both players are right-handed batters with power.
However, manager Buck Showalter said earlier this week that Young still has a decent shot to make the team out of Spring Training, because the Orioles plan to deploy Cruz in the outfield more than was originally expected. Cruz spent a lot of time in the corner outfield spots during his time with the Rangers, but has been regarded as subpar in recent years.
Showalter indicated however that outfielder David Lough likely will play as a platoon player, and under those circumstances Cruz could see time in the field. On those days, it would seem possible that Young could slot in at designated hitter, especially if the team is playing a tough left-handed pitcher.
Showalter has indicated all offseason that he likes the flexibility he has heading into 2014 with his lineup. The competition in the spring between Young, Steve Pearce, and Nolan Reimold, all of whom have similar skill sets, is one to watch leading up to Opening Day.
ROBERTS HAS NO HARD FEELINGS TOWARD O’s
Earlier this week, an interview with former Texas Ranger and current Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler, who was traded over the offseason less than halfway through his five-year contract, surfaced. In the interview, Kinsler said he hoped the Rangers went “0-162” and threw in some harsh words about Texas GM Jon Daniels.
This makes the comments that former Oriole Brian Roberts made Tuesday even more endearing to Orioles fans. When asked about playing the Orioles for the first time as a member of the New York Yankees, Roberts made it clear he had no feelings against the Orioles. Brian acknowledged that while he would have liked to spend his entire career in Baltimore, he knew it was a business.
“I had an incredible 15 years of my life there,” Roberts said. “Why would I be angry? There is no point in living that way. I’m grateful for every day that I had there.” Roberts added later that both the Orioles and Yankees were going to be contenders in 2014 and beyond in his opinion.
Manager Buck Showalter said it was weird seeing Roberts in pinstripes but said, “I’m happy for him. He’s in a good place in his life in a lot of ways. I’m glad it worked out for everybody.” Roberts’ 15 years in Baltimore were impressive, especially before injuries began to break his body down in recent seasons, as he was always a class act.
image: Craig Landefeld
