The Baltimore Orioles finished the 2012 Major League Baseball season as one of the major surprises. Heading into the offseason, there is new life injected into the franchise. Baltimore should be a marquee free agent landing spot for the first time in years.
That’s why the critics are coming out of the woodwork, as the Orioles have currently made minimal moves to improve its club. The Orioles resigned Nate McLouth and that’s the only headline – a minor one at that.
Dan Duquette has indicated that the Orioles will not give its players away in deals. Clearly, that does make sense. Duquette also mentions that the O’s are seeking a middle of the order bat, plus a veteran starter to anchor its rotation.
Buck Showalter likely wouldn’t complain if Dan Duquette and the Orioles dealt for a power hitter
One name to hit the rumor mill was Mark Trumbo, the power hitting first baseman for the Angels. Trumbo has potentially become available after the Angels made a big splash by signing Josh Hamilton.
Last week, Trumbo and others emerged as trade candidates after the Hamilton signing.
The Angels never indicated that they would even be willing to deal Trumbo. A deal is more unlikely now that Kendrys Morales was dealt to the Mariners, in exchange for Jason Vargas.
News flash: This deal wouldn’t make any sense for the Orioles, anyway.
Sure, Trumbo launches moon balls, similar to the ones that Chris Davis already sends out of Camden Yards. But dive in further and check Trumbo’s statistics, and you’ll see why he’s not a fit.
The 26-year-old Trumbo would cost some major trade pieces to acquire Despite that, his numbers are not much different than Mark Reynolds, who the Orioles had at first base last season. Here are some key stats to consider:
Mark Trumbo (2012): 144 games, 586 AB’s, 32 HR, 95 RBI, .268 BA, .317 OBP and 153 K’s
Mark Reynolds (2012): 135 games, 457 AB’s, 23 HR, 69 RBI, .221 BA, .335 OBP and 159 K’s
Trumbo is just two years younger. While he hit more home runs and had an average forty points higher, Reynolds played stellar defense at first base. Reynolds also had a better on base percentage and similar strike out total.
Mark Trumbo does not fit with the Baltimore Orioles, says KP
The key stats the Orioles are looking for – and rightfully so – are to acquire players that not only hit for power, but also have a high on base percentage, while not striking out too frequently.
For the price that Trumbo costs, the numbers just do not differ enough from that of Reynolds.
Thanks to the Seattle Mariners, the Orioles likely will not be in the position to even consider dealing for Trumbo.
By Spring Training, the Baltimore Orioles should make a few key moves to try and build on last season’s success. The return of players from injury (e.g. Nick Markakis, Nolan Reimold and Brian Roberts) should help. There are still pieces needed to keep pace with the ever-changing AL East.
