Baltimore Orioles 2017 Team Preview

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Sep 23, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters (32) rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the ninth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Key Losses

The Orioles brought back several of their free agents, but there were some noticeable departures.

C Matt Wieters — Wieters had been a mainstay at catcher for Baltimore since 2009, though injuries have plagued him the past few seasons. Wieters won two gold gloves and made four all-star appearances in his eight seasons with the Orioles. His reputation far exceeded his production, though, as Wieters sports a career OPS+ of 98. He’ll now practice his trade across the beltway with the Washington Nationals.

IF/OF Steve Pearce — Pearce only spent the final two months of 2016 with the Orioles after coming over in a trade deadline deal with Tampa Bay, but he has been with Baltimore at various points in the season each year since 2012. He can play all over the diamond and has crushed left-handed pitching to the tune of a .852 OPS in his career. The Blue Jays signed him to play first base and left field for the next couple of seasons.

SP Yovani Gallardo — The Orioles received Seth Smith from the Mariners, and the ability to shed Gallardo in the deal was icing on the cake. Gallardo struggled in 23 starts last season, putting up an abysmal 5.42 ERA, two runs higher than the career-best figure he put up the season before in Texas.

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