Salary Arbitration makes O's infield uncertain

[Roll Tide]

6 minutes ago, Bahama O's Fan said:

So...do we make any infield additions or is this it? 

Roch said he anticipates them bringing new another SS. 
 

Im hoping for Ha Seong Kim ....but I’m dreaming. 
 

Id like to see Robertson signed for 3B and Ruiz released. Then Erick Mejia for SS....I think they both could be long term options or Elias sign to trade later guys.

 

Quote

Erick Mejia, INF/OF (-0.3 fWAR)
A 26-year-old utility player, Mejia played sparingly at the big league level over the last two seasons with the Royals. He went 6-for-36 (.167) with two doubles and a stolen base over 17 games, though he spent the majority of his time with Triple-A Omaha, where he hit .271 with seven homers, 19 stolen bases and a .721 OPS in 2019.

 

[Sports Guy]

Freddy Galvis makes the most sense for what the Os will be looking for.

[wildcard]

35 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

Freddy Galvis makes the most sense for what the Os will be looking for.

Yes,  agree.  But he made 5.5m last year and how high will Elias go?

[Sports Guy]

2 minutes ago, wildcard said:

Yes,  agree.  But he made 5.5m last year and how high will Elias go?

I’m going to guess that he will be lucky to get 2.5M this year and I would think that number will be high.

[wildcard]

11 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

I’m going to guess that he will be lucky to get 2.5M this year and I would think that number will be high.

Hope you are right.  Elias would probably go that high and Galvis would be a good defensive SS to have as an Oriole.

[ScGO's]

Mejia is essentially Richie Martin.  I do like the idea of picking up Robertson and/or Adeiny Hechavarria. Going into camp with Martin, Valaika, Sanchez, Ruiz, Urias, and one or both of Robertson/Hechavarria should get us through the season.  We also have Stevie Wilkerson back in AAA,  and I suppose Bannon and McCoy are of that age of do or die; so they could get a shot.

If the O's can spend 40 million over 4 years on the Korean SS Kim and spread the cash 3, 7, 10, 20 to alleviate the bill while we shed Cobb and Davis (would back loading it be attractive to a FA since Covid my cut into salaries again?).  I think its a good gamble because we are starting to build enough young SS depth in the system, yet it probably won't be truly developed for another 3 to 5 years.  When Kim's contract would be up, we would hopefully have a couple options ready in AAA/AA ready to go. Signing Kim would allow use to take a chance at being competitive in 2022 and 2023 while we wait for the our next star SS to develop for the long haul.

If they go big and sign Kim, I would go with Sanchez at 2B and let Valaika, Ruiz, Martin, and Urias battle it out for 3B and a utility role or two.  You could still sign one of Robertson/Hechavarria to come in for that roster battle.  In the end, if you could space out Kim's contract, the next two seasons could still be fairly cost effective.  You are taking the risk on years 3 and 4.  If Kim ends up flopping that 20 million in year 4 would be a bummer, but at least the last few years of Davis and Cobb have softened that potential blow a little bit.  If we strike gold on Kim and our young pitching and position players start blossoming, it could get exciting by next season, which would be 2 years early based on my initial predictions with the rebuild.

[wildcard]

1 hour ago, ScGO's said:

Mejia is essentially Richie Martin.  I do like the idea of picking up Robertson and/or Adeiny Hechavarria. Going into camp with Martin, Valaika, Sanchez, Ruiz, Urias, and one or both of Robertson/Hechavarria should get us through the season.  We also have Stevie Wilkerson back in AAA,  and I suppose Bannon and McCoy are of that age of do or die; so they could get a shot.

If the O's can spend 40 million over 4 years on the Korean SS Kim and spread the cash 3, 7, 10, 20 to alleviate the bill while we shed Cobb and Davis (would back loading it be attractive to a FA since Covid my cut into salaries again?).  I think its a good gamble because we are starting to build enough young SS depth in the system, yet it probably won't be truly developed for another 3 to 5 years.  When Kim's contract would be up, we would hopefully have a couple options ready in AAA/AA ready to go. Signing Kim would allow use to take a chance at being competitive in 2022 and 2023 while we wait for the our next star SS to develop for the long haul.

If they go big and sign Kim, I would go with Sanchez at 2B and let Valaika, Ruiz, Martin, and Urias battle it out for 3B and a utility role or two.  You could still sign one of Robertson/Hechavarria to come in for that roster battle.  In the end, if you could space out Kim's contract, the next two seasons could still be fairly cost effective.  You are taking the risk on years 3 and 4.  If Kim ends up flopping that 20 million in year 4 would be a bummer, but at least the last few years of Davis and Cobb have softened that potential blow a little bit.  If we strike gold on Kim and our young pitching and position players start blossoming, it could get exciting by next season, which would be 2 years early based on my initial predictions with the rebuild.

Would Elias spend 4/40m on Kim when Henderson could be ready for the majors in 2 years?

[Sports Guy]

2 minutes ago, wildcard said:

Would Elias spend 4/40m on Kim when Henderson could be ready for the majors in 2 years?

I hope not 

[Just Regular]

54 minutes ago, wildcard said:

Would Elias spend 4/40m on Kim when Henderson could be ready for the majors in 2 years?

Just like Hays achieving CF (jury still out), it'll be great if Gunnar (or Westburg, a little less excitingly) can keep SS.

The Angels locking in Iglesias maybe gives teams needing SS (Reds, A's, Phillies, Yankees?) a little more flexibility to try for Semien, Didi or Andrelton at their price, never mind Galvis.   Especially if Ha-Seong Kim becomes one of "The 30" opening day shortstops, there are only so many musical chairs, and I think someone will want the Baltimore job.  If the Indians flood market with Lindor as expected, I think in-house solution their play - they could be a Galvis rival I suppose.

I will say questioning the Angels move I didn't realize quite how badly Andrelton's 2020, including defense, ran.   But I'm here for the pillow contract if it gets that bad for him before accepting the plain slice of cheese Galvis that I'd guess is the most likely outcome, with "fake SS" like Profar and Villar real wildcards.

A few here may even have been okay with 2 years for Villar a year ago at this time, before he became Easton Lucas....

[Roll Tide]

5 hours ago, Sports Guy said:

Freddy Galvis makes the most sense for what the Os will be looking for.

A sub .300 OBP guy with a sub .700 OPS that will have no value to anyone? They’d be better off trading for a near ready guy. I’d rather pay Mejia the minimum than give this guy anymore than that!

[Sports Guy]

18 minutes ago, Roll Tide said:

A sub .300 OBP guy with a sub .700 OPS that will have no value to anyone? They’d be better off trading for a near ready guy. I’d rather pay Mejia the minimum than give this guy anymore than that!

Glad to hear it

[OriolesMagic83]

On 12/5/2020 at 1:27 PM, Roll Tide said:

A sub .300 OBP guy with a sub .700 OPS that will have no value to anyone? They’d be better off trading for a near ready guy. I’d rather pay Mejia the minimum than give this guy anymore than that!

When you're trying to tank the season but not be to obvious, he seems like the ideal guy.