Baltimore Orioles continue search for outfield help
Ever since the loss of outfielders Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz (although he mostly served as the team’s designated hitter), the Baltimore Orioles have been searching for their guy to not only fill their outfield void(s), but also provide offense, something Markakis and Cruz did very often last year. Recent reports state that the Orioles have now engaged in conversation with Colby Rasmus as well as Andre Ethier.
In recent years, Baltimore has done an excellent job of finding guys to fill key holes in the lineup. One name that comes to mind is Steve Pearce. After Chris Davis was suspended last September, Pearce stepped into the role brilliantly, hitting .315/.464/.685 in 17 games, including the Orioles playoff run to the ALCS. Pearce even finished second in WAR last season, second only to team leader Adam Jones.
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Another name that comes to mind is Delmon Young. The Orioles took a flyer on Young after he endured some rough years with both the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies after beginning an up-and-down career in Minnesota. Saying it paid off would be an understatement. The Orioles saw Young put up the best numbers of his career, including a very strong showing against right-handed pitching (.312/.357/.452). Although used mostly against right-handed pitching, Young didn’t fare too shabby against left-handers either (.282/.299/.424).
Manager Buck Showalter has been able to pinpoint his guys and go out and get them, and you can’t deny the results. In this off-season’s case, it seems as if Showalter is taking his time, knowing full well that there’s a big task at hand in finding even close to the amount of offense he’s lost from Markakis and Cruz. Whether it’s just one outfielder, or even two to play a platoon, you can be sure Showalter and the Baltimore front office know what they’re doing.