O's interested in OF Preston Tucker

[sportsfan8703]

Tucker was DFA'd by the Astros last friday.  

From mlbtr,

"Although the Orioles are seeking a left-handed hitter, they don’t seem to have interest in free agent Jon Jay, per Kubatko. That differs from previous offseasons when Jay was on the O’s radar, he notes. Conversely, Baltimore could consider Preston Tucker, whom the Astros designated for assignment Friday."

Apparently we've liked him for awhile.  I found this tidbit from mlbtr from two offseasons ago on mlbtr dated March 28th 2016

"The Orioles talked to the Astros about outfielder Preston Tucker this offseason, MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko reports.  Talks didn’t go anywhere, however, since Houston asked for Kevin Gausman in return.  Gausman was a popular figure in trade demands over the winter, and as you might expect, the O’s had no interest in dealing the former top prospect.  Tucker didn’t have quite the same prospect pedigree (Gausman was selected fourth overall in 2012 while Tucker was a seventh-rounder in that same draft) but the outfielder posted a very strong .867 OPS over 1530 plate appearances in the minors and hit .243/.297/.437 with 13 homers over 323 PA in the bigs last year as a rookie.  Tucker will serve in a backup role with Houston this season, as his path to more playing time may have been blocked when Colby Rasmus accepted a qualifying offer last fall."

Talk about the trades you don't make.  Now we could pick up Tucker for practically nothing.  DD makes moves like this all the time for bullpen arms from other teams that are out of options, well DD add us a LH OF.  Seems like he got squeezed out by all of HOU's talent and then had a terrible year in SSS in 2016.  Maybe he was pressing and a change of scenery could do wonders.  

When we're talking about saving money, this is how you do it.  Mancini in LF, Jones in CF, with Santander, Tucker, Rickard, Hays, and maybe a vet like Gentry battling it out for two roster spots.  No need to spend millions on Granderson or Smith when they are worse defensively and will cost millions.  

 

 

 

[sportsfan8703]

8 minutes ago, RZNJ said:

Please.   That would be awful.   Maybe to a minor league contract.   Santander is better.

One year older than Rickard with a better track record of success in the minors.  I'm talking about for the 4th/5th OF spot.  I just don't see how Rickard is a given on this team.  We obviously liked Tucker before. 

[jabba72]

Too many OF's already. If the plan is to cut or demote a Rickard there might be a bench spot i guess. I'd rather keep Sanatander and Hays. Rickard might not even have a spot anymore if Hays can play CF.  

[Camden_yardbird]

This is a player they should get for a rebuild.  Then trade Britton for his brother.

[interloper]

If Trumbo is traded, sure. 

[interloper]

Just now, RZNJ said:

Preston Tucker can't hit, field, or run.   Otherwise, he'd be great.     -.9 WAR in 147 career games.     What do you guys like about him?

He's young and virtually free, basically. I'd take him as a lefty COF/DH over Trumbo all day.

[interloper]

2 minutes ago, RZNJ said:

I see.  So if it's free you don't care if it's any good or not.

He's not completely without value, I don't think. The WAR doesn't look good, but he's only 25 years old.

I'm just saying you could take a flyer on him and give him a ST invite. The O's want lefty bats. Santander is obviously better, but he could get hurt, who knows. Trumbo could get traded. I'm not saying hand the kid a 25-man roster spot.

[interloper]

8 minutes ago, RZNJ said:

He's 27.  He'll be 28 next July.   He might get a ST invite.   He was signed to play in Norfolk.

I must be going crazy, could have sworn I saw 25 on baseball reference. 

I'm not seeing where he was signed to play at Norfolk, though.

[Aristotelian]

3 hours ago, RZNJ said:

Please.   That would be awful.   Maybe to a minor league contract.   Santander is better.

On the bright side, Tucker is probably better than David Lough.

[weams]

 

[clapdiddy]

2 minutes ago, Aristotelian said:

On the bright side, Tucker is probably better than David Lough.

Not sure about that.   Lough was a very good defensive player.

[Number5]

As I understand it, he's been DFA, not released.  Signing him on a minor league contract isn't an option right now.  We can trade for him or file a claim on him if we want to have him on our 40-man roster, but I don't think either makes a whole lot of sense for the Orioles right now.  If he passes thru waivers, he would probably be outrighted, rather than released, right?  If released, then maybe talk to him about a minor league contract.  I don't see doing much else at this point.

[Frobby]

9 minutes ago, weams said:

 

Please tell those guys at CamdenDepot that RZNJ is not just a “guy on message board!”  

Granderson 2017: 1.5 rWAR

Tucker 2017: -1.1 rWAR

That’s “not much difference?”    That said, I’m not too high on the Granderson idea.

[weams]

4 minutes ago, Frobby said:

Please tell those guys at CamdenDepot that RZNJ is not just a “guy on message board!”  

Granderson 2017: 1.5 rWAR

Tucker 2017: -1.1 rWAR

That’s “not much difference?”    That said, I’m not too high on the Granderson idea.

Is that who he was referring to?

Yeah. There is a difference. Though Curtis does not back up center. 

[Roll Tide]

1 hour ago, RZNJ said:

Please.   That would be awful.   Maybe to a minor league contract.   Santander is better.

Wow ...We asked about this guy and they wanted Gausman ....Please