The Baltimore Orioles have added a left handed hitting outfielder,but Colby Rasmus is a risky proposition.
It has not been a secret that the Baltimore Orioles have been looking for a left handed hitting outfielder. Chris Davis is the only left handed outfielder on the roster currently, and the Orioles were looking to add depth to their outfield. However, until the past week, it has been a relatively quiet offseason in Baltimore.
On Tuesday, the Orioles potentially landed that outfield depth they were looking for, while adding a lefty hitter in one fell swoop.In a somewhat surprising move, Baltimore inked outfielder Colby Rasmus to a minor league deal.
Per source, OF Colby Rasmus has a deal with the Orioles.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) February 21, 2018
Rasmus is the ideal platoon player in Baltimore, with a lifetime .252/.318/.463 batting line with 132 homers against right handed pitchers. However, against lefties, Rasmus has been practically useless, hitting at a .211/.290/.366 rate with 33 homers. He has also played all three outfield positions, even though he only spent one game in center with the Rays last year.
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It is that time in Tampa Bay that makes the Rasmus signing such a risk. There is no question that he performed well when he was on the field, with a .281/.318/.579 batting line and nine homers in his 129 plate appearances. Despite that brief time in the lineup, Rasmus was worth 1.2 WAR, leading one to wonder what type of season he could have had.
Bookending that excellent run, Rasmus spent time on the disabled list with problems with his hip. He was still recovering from hip surgery at the start of the year, and went back on the disabled list with discomfort in the same joint. When he was eligible to return on July 13, Rasmus shocked everyone by stating that he was stepping away from the game, forgoing the rest of his salary.
For now, at least, Rasmus is seemingly interested in continuing his baseball career. At 31 years old heading into the season, he still has a few years of his prime left. If Rasmus is motivated and healthy, he could be the piece that the Orioles are looking for. However, that is a big if, especially after he quit on the Rays last year.
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The Baltimore Orioles have signed Colby Rasmus to a minor league contract. He could be a solid addition, if he is motivated to play this year.