Baltimore Orioles: Top Five Priorities for the Offseason

1. Let Matt Wieters Walk

Last offseason, the Orioles front office decided to extend Matt Wieters a qualifying offer and probably much to the club’s surprise, the all star backstop decided to take it and return for one more season. General manager Dan Duquette was under the impression that with the lack of quality catchers on the free agent market last winter, he would receive draft pick compensation from the team that signed Wieters to a lucrative deal. But obviously that didn’t happen and the now 30 year-old put up his typical numbers for the Orioles again in 2016.

While it’s nice to have Wieters on the team because of his leadership and solid play, but let’s not make that same mistake again this offseason. The qualifying offer is spiking up to over $17 million in value this winter. Wieters does not deserve this much money, plain and simple. So yes, if the Orioles decline to extend their catcher a qualifying offer they will lose out on an extra draft pick, Duquette just shouldn’t take that risk again. The money he would be saving should be allocated to addressing needs elsewhere.

It’s sad that Wieters, who was one of the more hyped prospected in Orioles history, may be moving on next season, but business is business and by letting him go the Orioles can make improvements that will truly make a difference next year. I think that whatever team signs the veteran catcher will seriously regret it because at this point he’s living more off his reputation than his actual performance.