This Orioles’ offseason has seen way more motion on the fringes of their 40-man roster than its heart, and that development continued Wednesday.
For the second time this offseason, the Orioles designated first baseman Lewin Díaz for project — the fifth time he has been thrust into roster purgatory previously two months — to open a spot for left-hander Darwinzon Hernandez, whom they acquired for money in a commerce for the Boston Red Sox. It’s the fourth player-for-money swap Baltimore has executed previously three weeks, all in circumstances the place both the Orioles or the opposite staff had just lately designated that participant for project.
Díaz’s odyssey will proceed, although the very fact the Orioles have claimed him twice this offseason would recommend they hope he’ll clear waivers and stay within the group as a depth possibility, and the identical probably applies to Ryan O’Hearn, whose place in DFA limbo must be resolved Thursday. The strikes recommend both would have a tough path to Baltimore’s opening day roster ought to they continue to be within the group, regardless of each being suits for the membership’s obvious want for a left-handed complement to Ryan Mountcastle at first base.
Hernandez is in an analogous scenario, although the Orioles’ bullpen probably wanted one other left-handed possibility even earlier than Nick Vespi underwent hernia surgical procedure final week that may probably hold him from being prepared by opening day. Hernandez, 26, has pedigree, with Baseball America rating him amongst Boston’s prime six prospects every year from 2018 to 2020, however that has but to translate to the majors, the place he has a 5.06 ERA in 91 appearances throughout the previous 4 seasons. Most of that work got here in 2021, when he posted a 3.38 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 40 innings. But the stroll points he had all through his time with the Red Sox existed that yr, as effectively; Hernandez walked multiple of six batters he confronted for Boston. In Cionel Pérez, the Orioles have already got transformed a as soon as well-regarded left-hander with command issues right into a late-inning weapon, and maybe they’ll do the identical with Hernandez.
But he’ll have to stay on the Orioles’ 40-man roster, a activity that has confirmed tough this winter for gamers acquired within the method he was. Since the offseason started, Baltimore has added six different gamers both through waiver claims or trades for money concerns, and none are presently on its 40-man roster.
It’s honest, then, to wonder if he makes it till Orioles pitchers and catchers report back to spring coaching in a couple of month. That timeline and the membership’s newest strikes mark an inexpensive level for The Baltimore Sun’s newest projection of the Orioles’ doable opening day roster.
Starting pitchers (5): Kyle Bradish, Kyle Gibson, Dean Kremer, Grayson Rodriguez, Tyler Wells
Other candidates: Mike Baumann, DL Hall, Austin Voth, Spenser Watkins, Bruce Zimmermann
After formally saying he had signed Gibson to a one-year, $10 million contract greater than a month in the past, govt vp and common supervisor Mike Elias made clear his want so as to add one other established starter to Baltimore’s rotation. This group stays unchanged from The Sun’s first roster projection from shortly after that signing, however the beginning pitching market has thinned mightily in that point. The Orioles’ finest path to bringing in extra rotation assist at this level is probably going with a commerce; Miami, Cleveland and Milwaukee all have rotation depth and the extent of starters that will make it worthwhile for the Orioles to drag from their prospect stockpile.
Relief pitchers (8): Bryan Baker, Félix Bautista, Mychal Givens, DL Hall, Cionel Pérez, Andrew Politi, Dillon Tate, Austin Voth
Other candidates: Keegan Akin, Mike Baumann, Yennier Canó, Logan Gillaspie, Darwinzon Hernandez, Joey Krehbiel, Nick Vespi, Spenser Watkins, Bruce Zimmermann
If all events are wholesome, Baker, Bautista, Givens, Pérez and Tate are locks. Hall, Baltimore’s No. 2 pitching prospect, will head into spring coaching with a shot at a rotation job, however he additionally dealt with a late-season aid audition extremely effectively. Voth exceeded expectations as a starter for the Orioles after becoming a member of them as a waiver declare and will additionally return to that position. As a Rule 5 draft choose, Politi has to stay on the roster all yr to stay with the group, and that standing earns him the nod right here over Akin and Krehbiel, who each had robust runs in supervisor Brandon Hyde’s bullpen earlier than crumbling late within the yr.
Catchers (2): James McCann, Adley Rutschman
Other candidates: Anthony Bemboom, Maverick Handley, Mark Kolozsvary
This is essentially the most settled facet of Baltimore’s roster. Rutschman and McCann are the one catchers on the Orioles’ 40-man roster, and every will make the 26-player model in the event that they make it by way of spring wholesome. The larger query is how a lot first base both of them performs, provided that the Orioles lack a transparent backup ought to Mountcastle want a time off. McCann is the one different member of their 40-man roster who has performed the place within the majors, whereas Rutschman performed there in each faculty and the minors to maintain him within the lineup on days he didn’t catch.
Infielders (6): Adam Frazier, Gunnar Henderson, Jorge Mateo, Ryan Mountcastle, Ramón Urías, Terrin Vavra
Other candidates: Lewin Díaz, Josh Lester, Ryan O’Hearn, Joey Ortiz, Jordan Westburg
Assuming Rutschman or McCann serves because the backup first baseman opens a bench spot for Terrin Vavra, who impressed along with his plate self-discipline in his restricted main league time final yr however whose ability set is considerably a replica of Frazier’s. Henderson, the game’s prime prospect, will probably be on the left aspect of Baltimore’s infield most days, however he’ll nonetheless get days off as Mateo, Urías and Frazier rotate primarily based on what Hyde deems that day’s finest matchup. If Díaz and O’Hearn stick within the group, they’ll probably be a part of Lester as first base depth at Triple-A ought to Mountcastle have an prolonged absence.
Outfielders (5): Austin Hays, Ryan McKenna, Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander, Kyle Stowers
Other candidates: Franchy Cordero, Nomar Mazara
Unless a transfer is made, this group appears pretty settled. Hays, Mullins and Santander would be the regulars, left to proper. McKenna figures to proceed in his position as a pinch-runner, late-inning defensive alternative and occasional starter in opposition to left-handers. Stowers ought to get a good share of at-bats as designated hitter or be within the outfield if Hays, Mullins or Santander spend a day in that position. He’ll take care of Cordero and Mazara, additionally left-handed hitters, to make the roster.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com
