O's claim IF Urena from Jays

[wildcard]

27 minutes ago, Philip said:

Valaika has already been designated.

Valaika may pass through waivers and be assigned to AAA.   If that happens he will probably  get a invite to the O's ST.

[AnythingO's]

What do we know about Dilson Herrera (minor-free agent), specifically defense. He seems to be mostly 2B and 3B, has had cups of coffee in the Majors over last 2=3 seasons. Seems to hit in the Minors.

[Philip]

1 hour ago, wildcard said:

Valaika may pass through waivers and be assigned to AAA.   If that happens he will probably  get a invite to the O's ST.

Yes you are exactly right. But at the moment, Martin is ahead of all the waiver wire flotsam and jetsam.

[Tony-OH]

Urena is a toolsy former top Blue Jays prospect who has largely failed to develop into the player they thought he would become. He'll compete for a utility job with the Orioles, but can play a legitimate defensive SS, so it gives him a bit of a leg up on some of the other competition, particularly if the Orioles decide to send Martin back to AAA to start 2020.

Looking at the statcast numbers, it suggest he has a good arm and is much better going into the 3B-SS hole than Martin was, but he has struggled a bit gloveside and coming in on balls. Saying that, these are limited numbers to go off of but his previous scouting reports have discussed his strong arm.

Offensively he has shown occasional pop in the minors, but little plate discipline and and not a lot of speed. Statcast shows well below average exit velocity and and his xBA is lower than his actual BA suggesting he's been lucky to put up a respectable BA at the major league level. A switch-hitter, he's actually hit righties a little bit better than lefties at the major league level but was significantly better hitting from the left-side against righties in AAA last year and typical better over his career.

He could help spell Hanser Alberto against some tough righties and or give Iglesis a day off. As for Pat Valaika, I could see him making it through waivers and coming back and competing for a utility spot in the spring as well but Urena brings a little more upside offensively.

 

[Philip]

1 hour ago, AnythingO's said:

What do we know about Dilson Herrera (minor-free agent), specifically defense. He seems to be mostly 2B and 3B, has had cups of coffee in the Majors over last 2=3 seasons. Seems to hit in the Minors.

He can’t hit. His defense is good, though. However, we have a multitude of infielders who defend well and hit less well. A little variety would be nice.

[Jammer7]

Looks like a solid pick up of a guy that needed a change of scenery. He was rushed up from AA three years ago and has struggled to find a role. Natural LH hitter who started switch hitting as a pro, in 2013. Not saying he’s going to be an all star, but why not pick him up and take a look at him in Spring training? 
 

Supposed to have quick twitch athleticism and a plus arm. He was the Jays’ #4 prospect after 2015, according to BA. and was in their top 10 through 2017. I guess it will depend on Richard and the attitude he brings into his new opportunity.

[sportsfan8703]

Our offseason is heating up.  I like that Elias is utilizing the waiver wire.  Remember, this is how we’ve acquired Hanser, Nunez, Ruiz, Severino, and Smith Jr.  That might be 5/9ths of our OD lineup.  

I like the pick up. I’m thinking Valaika will probably clear waivers. As far as roster fit, I think it makes us weaker in the IF vs LHP. I was hoping that Alberto and Valaika could cover 2B/3B vs LHP. 

 

[Legend_Of_Joey]

2 hours ago, Philip said:

He can’t hit. His defense is good, though. However, we have a multitude of infielders who defend well and hit less well. A little variety would be nice.

They do. See: Nunez, Renato

[Philip]

7 minutes ago, Legend_Of_Joey said:

They do. See: Nunez, Renato

Well, that’s the other extreme, a guy hits well and defends not at all. Also less appealing than other options…

[BohKnowsBmore]

On 1/11/2020 at 2:45 PM, Philip said:

Well, that’s the other extreme, a guy hits well and defends not at all. Also less appealing than other options…

So you’re saying that you would like ME to sign guys who hit well and field well, preferably to team friendly numbers? Have to wonder why he hasn’t tried that. 

[Legend_Of_Joey]

22 minutes ago, BohKnowsBmore said:

So you’re saying that you would like ME to sign guys who hit well and field well, preferably to team friendly numbers? Have to wonder why he hasn’t tried that. 

Copycat league. If he does that and it works, the rest of the league will try to do the same thing. Could you imagine that disaster? 

[Philip]

34 minutes ago, BohKnowsBmore said:

So you’re saying that you would like ME to sign guys who hit well and field well, preferably to team friendly numbers? Have to wonder why he hasn’t tried that. 

Exactly...he needs to get to work!

[VaBird1]

On 1/11/2020 at 2:45 PM, Philip said:

Well, that’s the other extreme, a guy hits well and defends not at all. Also less appealing than other options…

Don’t forget Chris Davis.  He doesn’t fit either group.

[sportsfan8703]

Urena is 23, doesn’t turn 24 till February. So since A+ he’s always been one the younger players in the league he was playing in. I read too that he didn’t start switch hitting until 2015. 

I think there’s still some developing that he could do. Athleticism is a plus. 

[Frobby]

Urena was part of the comp Toronto proposed when they tried to hire Duquette.

https://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2020/01/urena-was-linked-to-orioles-before-waiver-claim.html