ESPN: Bargain in Free Agents and best landing spots...

[mskrulz]

http://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/77209/a-look-inside-the-mlb-free-agent-bargain-bin

Colby Rasmus

The good: Rasmus had a solid 2015 season for the Astros, slugging 25 home runs, and got off to a great start in 2016 (.263/.400/.579 in April). He is a plus defender in the corners and adequate in center.

The bad: He underwent surgery in August to remove a cyst from his right ear that had bothered him since before the All-Star break (he went through a horrendous 3-for-66 slump and had symptoms of vertigo and dizziness).

Take: It’s not clear exactly when the cyst started bothering him. He hit .194 with 33 strikeouts in May, for example. Was that the ear or just a streaky hitter struggling? He can’t hit lefties so he needs to be platooned, but there’s some upside here.

Best fit: The Orioles had terrible defense in the corners, and Rasmus’ power would play up at Camden Yards. Rasmus could play left with Hyun Soo Kim moving to a designated hitter role. A perfect late Orioles signing for a below-market rate that could pay off.

Seems like an O's move.

[Redskins Rick]

The thing with Rasmus, has been his clubhouse character and how well or not well, does he fit in with his teammates.

Some blame Tony La Russa, some blame Colby's father. Maybe its a combination of both.

Colby has been known to be late to meetings, which doesn't always fit well with teammates.

 

[backwardsk]

The article also mentions grabbing Saunders with Rasmus if the budget allows it.

I've never been a big Rasmus guy, but I'd be happy with him if we could also get Granderson.  

[24fps]

IIRC somebody from the O's (Buck?) went to his house in Alabama a couple of off season ago and nothing ever became of it.  Anybody remember any details?

[Camden_yardbird]

He makes so much sense for too many reasons that the absence of interest or movement from the Orioles speaks volumes. 

[wildbillhiccup]

If you don' think Bautista will fit in with the clubhouse then Rasmus certainly won't fit in either. He's a head case. 

[theobird]

Rasmus and Saunders both would be good. Would allow Kim to go to DH along with Mancini. We get better defensively in the OF, which IMO should be the goal of this offseason.