Orioles need "bat signal" for 3B

[Tony-OH]

Time to use the power of the Hangout for good.

We all know that 3B is the one position is not settled despite the fact that Rio Ruiz was the odds on favorite coming into the spring due to no other ready or viable candidates. Ruiz has not looked good this spring and is now out with an "illness".

Rylan Bannon doesn't look ready and may never be ready to be an everyday 3B and Pat Valiaka appears to be only a slight upgrade defensively  over say Renato Nunez at the hot corner. Ramon Urias has played 74 minor league games at the hot corner, but may be best suited to plat 2B. When Steve Wilkerson is getting starts at 3B, it's probably time to start looking for options outside the organization.

Now we've talked about Maikel Franco, but listening to Elias it sounds like his price tag has not come down yet enough since he's said nothing is on the near horizon. The Mets seems to be in talks with him as well. 

So, here's the task. Who are the possible DFA candidates who could fill in at 3B this year? I know that's tough to do, but there probably are some situations where a guy could be blocked or how might not be doing well and could be moved along. Third base is typically not a position where a lot of guys are DFA'd, particularly if they can play 3B effectively defensively, but you never know.

If the Orioles don't bring in anyone, and Ruiz gets healthy, I imagine he will be the starter once again, but an upgrade here would be nice.

[Sports Guy]

I wouldn’t look at DFA candidates as much as I would look at obviously blocked young, cost controlled players who could/should be available in trades.

I certainly wouldn’t rule out the DFa market but it’s not where I’m checking first.

[Just Regular]

Is Tyler Nevin working any there?   He has a nice number for spring games, and I heard one anecdote his AA year the Rockies weren't as much moving him completely off 3B as much as prioritizing playing Colton Welker there.    I would guess he is Renato-bad or worse, but maybe we're weak enough overall to test it out a week or two  His AAA position whenever they do the first month could also tell us if any hope.

His entire minors career is about two-thirds 1B though already, and he wasn't always Welker's teammate, so not exactly optimistic.

I do think if he has a good AAA season it could bear on tendering Mancini in certain scenarios.

I've heard Bloom in Boston might keep Christian Arroyo and demote Michael Chavis due to options, but Arroyo might hit the wire at some point.

[Beef Supreme]

Want to try Jedd Gyorko? MiLB or $1MM

weams used to love Neil Walker. Maybe the Orioles could sign him to keep Michael's spirits high.             

[Tony-OH]

8 minutes ago, OrioleDog said:

Is Tyler Nevin working any there?   He has a nice number for spring games, and I heard one anecdote his AA year the Rockies weren't as much moving him completely off 3B as much as prioritizing playing Colton Welker there.    I would guess he is Renato-bad or worse, but maybe we're weak enough overall to test it out a week or two  His AAA position whenever they do the first month could also tell us if any hope.

 

It's pretty clear the Orioles view Nevin as a 1B defensively.

[Sports Guy]

Could see if Tommy Edman is available

[ChrisP]

I'll say it...3B should not have been a problem position for the next 10+ years. 

[Beef Supreme]

8 minutes ago, ChrisP said:

I'll say it...3B should not have been a problem position for the next 10+ years. 

That ship has sailed. 

Think in the present.

[Camden_yardbird]

Kris Bryant.  Sign not trade.

[Sports Guy]

1 hour ago, ChrisP said:

I'll say it...3B should not have been a problem position for the next 10+ years. 

Probably would have been a problem for at least 4 of those years.

[SteveA]

2 hours ago, Tony-OH said:

It's pretty clear the Orioles view Nevin as a 1B defensively.

He's playing left field in Bradenton at this moment.

[Just Regular]

1 hour ago, SteveA said:

He's playing left field in Bradenton at this moment.

This won't help me with the "he's almost like Ryan Mountcastle, but with one year of injuries and one year of pandemic" notions.

[joelala]

4 hours ago, Sports Guy said:

Could see if Tommy Edman is available

He won’t be. He’s a valuable utility player who will get plenty of ABs in STL.

 

[Ruzious]

I'll mention my old standby, Johan Camargo.  He's gone way downhill since going to the Braves bench 2 years ago, and he needs an attitude adjustment, but he's a talented 27 year old infielder.  Braves even got Panda as 3rd base insurance along with a couple of veteran backup middle infielders , so it wouldn't be a surprise if Camargo doesn't make the team.  

[Sports Guy]

36 minutes ago, joelala said:

He won’t be. He’s a valuable utility player who will get plenty of ABs in STL.

 

Likely a lot of truth in that but they also have Carpenter who can play that role.