O’S ACQUIRE LOMBARDOZZI FROM TIGERS
The Orioles have traded shortstop Alex Gonzalez for Detroit Tigers utility man Steve Lombardozzi. Gonzalez, 37, was unlikely to begin the regular season in the majors with Baltimore, and Lombardozzi’s primary position is second base, although he does have experience in both left field and at third base.
Lombardozzi, 25, played the previous few seasons in Washington, hitting a respectable .264 with an on-base percentage of .294. While these numbers are not overwhelming, they compare favorably with Baltimore’s other options at second base, and the versatility gives the Orioles an option at third base while All-Star Manny Machado is on the disabled list.
Gonzalez entered Orioles camp this past offseason as a non-roster invitee after hitting .177 last season in limited action with the Milwaukee Brewers. Gonzalez was having a hot spring however with the Orioles, and the injury to Jose Iglesias in Detroit created a need at the position for the Tigers.
Lombardozzi was one of the pieces Detroit received in the offseason trade of Doug Fister. Lombardozzi attended Atholton High School in Maryland, and could potentially slide into a platoon role at second base with Ryan Flaherty even after Machado returns from injury.
O’S ADD ADAMS, WALLACE, AND AYALA
Over the weekend, the Orioles claimed utility infielder David Adams off of waivers, and designated left-handed pitcher Kevin De La Cruz for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster. Adams, 26, hit .193 with the New York Yankees last season, but showed good ability to get on base.
The Orioles also signed former Houston Astros prized first base prospect Brett Wallace to a minor league deal. Wallace is a career .309 hitter in the minor leagues over parts of the last six years, but has only hit .242 in the majors. He also was having a tough spring before his release from Houston earlier this month.
The Orioles also formally announced that they had resigned right-hander Luis Ayala to a minor league contract. Ayala was traded from the Orioles to the Atlanta Braves early last season and went on to have a successful year posting a 2.90 ERA in 37 appearances.
Neither of the two position players figures to be key factors in the Orioles plans for 2014, but if injuries hit any of the three could be key contributors. Ayala figures to have the best shot to break Spring Training with the big league team, after being a key piece of the bullpen in 2012.
MACHADO JUST FOCUSED ON GETTING HEALTHY
Manager Buck Showalter announced over the weekend that All-Star third baseman Manny Machado would start the regular season on the disabled list. Machado had knee surgery on October 14th and admitted himself earlier this offseason that Opening Day was an unlikely target return date.
The Gold Glove winner from a year ago added that he never wanted to mark any specific dates as goals, but rather that he just wanted to get back as soon as possible. Machado recently had to slow down his rehabbing after experiencing a setback earlier this month.
Machado was cleared recently however, by doctor Neal Attrache to resume baseball activities, but Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette said Machado still had to pass some tests before he would return. Duquette also said he was optimistic Machado would return in April.
Taking Machado’s rehab slowly is the right move for the Orioles. While this is expected to be a competitive team in 2014, it would be foolish to risk further injury to a budding superstar like Machado who figures to be a big part of the team for the foreseeable future by rushing him along to quickly.
LINEUP STILL UNDECIDED
Manager Buck Showalter admitted last week that he has still not committed to an Opening Day lineup yet, and that he was going to have to reconsider it even further with the knowledge that Machado will miss Opening Day.
It is widely expected that right fielder Nick Markakis will bat first, after experiencing success as a leadoff hitter in the past, but beyond that is uncertain. Guys expected to be competing for the second spot with Machado out are left fielder David Lough and shortstop J.J. Hardy, among others.
Showalter would not list specific names but did say that of the guys he was considering that it would be easier if he didn’t mind putting consecutive lefties back-to-back in the lineup. “It’s pretty easy if you don’t mind stacking up left-handers, but it’ll be related to the other team’s bullpen and starters.” Showalter said.
The best choice to bat second in Machado’s absence is likely shortstop J.J. Hardy, because of his success hitting in the second spot in the lineup in the past, but the speed of Lough may tempt Showalter. Either guy would return the spot in the lineup to Machado upon his return.
photo: Craig Landefeld
