And by competent players you mean your definition of competent.
The O's have two catchers with a rWAR over 0 and AR waiting in the wings. The only catcher they need is a backup type at Norfolk, the kind that doesn't go onto the 40 man.
So much is up in the air. Can he play next year? How much and what positions? Does he expect to make the same as last season or is he willing to accept a more team friendly deal?
If the medical prognosis isn't favorable and he's expecting to make 5M you have to think long and hard on it.
It is really easy for us to say Sure, pay him 5-8M if he can't play so what.
rhe·tor·i·cal
: of, relating to, or concerned with rhetoric
b : employed for rhetorical effect especially : asked merely for effect with no answer expected
Remember when folks thought Davis was pretty good in the outfield because he looked smooth out there?
Good times.
The folks were, of course, incorrect.