Valaika DFA. Mateo replaces him

[Ruzious]

1 minute ago, interloper said:

It has to be a consideration at this point. Guy just hasn't hit. Has had some nice plays at 3B, but he certainly shouldn't be blocking younger guys at this point of the season.

Not only hasn't Franco hit, but he can't run.  He often limps to first base.  It's been a joke that he's continued to play while clearly not healthy - considering he wasn't any good when he was healthy.  

[interloper]

Just now, Ruzious said:

Not only hasn't Franco hit, but he can't run.  He often limps to first base.  It's been a joke that he's continued to play while clearly not healthy - considering he wasn't any good when he was healthy.  

Yeah he's bringing about as much to the table as Valaika was. The question is whether or not they'll DFA him since they signed him to a true ML free agent contract. I feel like the Orioles can be weird about that sometimes. We'll see. It may not matter because Mateo could be a straight up Valaika replacement. 

[Ruzious]

27 minutes ago, Yardball85 said:

Interestingly, Mateo was a top 100 prospect for a little while.  Seems he was the big piece acquired by Oakland in the Gray trade four years ago.  He's 26 now, put up solid numbers in AAA in 2019.  Worth a shot, especially over Valaika.

 

And he was chosen for the 2019 Futures Game, which... ahem O's... used to be a prestigious honor.  

[ChosenOne21]

14 minutes ago, Ruzious said:

And he was chosen for the 2019 Futures Game, which... ahem O's... used to be a prestigious honor.  

It's all part of DiPlan...

[OsFanSinceThe80s]

20 minutes ago, Ruzious said:

Not only hasn't Franco hit, but he can't run.  He often limps to first base.  It's been a joke that he's continued to play while clearly not healthy - considering he wasn't any good when he was healthy.  

And Franco is a mediocre fielder at best and good chance he's next on the DFA train. 

[BirdinBama]

Valaika and Franco, not sorry to see them go at all.

[NelsonCruuuuuz]

1 hour ago, Yardball85 said:

Interestingly, Mateo was a top 100 prospect for a little while.  Seems he was the big piece acquired by Oakland in the Gray trade four years ago.  He's 26 now, put up solid numbers in AAA in 2019.  Worth a shot, especially over Valaika.

 

Elias hasn't exactly dazzled anyone with this waiver wire acquisitions but this one I like a lot.

[SteveA]

Valaika .531 OPS this year, .649 career.

Mateo .572 OPS this year, .545 career.

We got 2, almost 3, years younger.

Mumble, mumble, something about deck chairs.

[sportsfan8703]

Mateo and Leyba are the exact types of waiver claims we should be making. Maybe one sticks. Franco should be DFA’d. I think we have adequate coverage at 3B. We don’t need Franco for the last two months of the season. 
 

Mateo, Martin, and Urias should man the IF spots for now. Let’s see what these three can do. Jones is the next guy deserving a chance. 

[Philip]

2 hours ago, interloper said:

No disrespect to Pat, but... finally. Now that Richie is back and Jones maybe on the horizon, it's time to make way for younger guys. It was nice to see Valaika start to finally hit a little better of late, but this was a move long overdue IMO. 

All the good moves have been long overdue. Which begs the question…

[sportsfan8703]

Mateo is out of options. He should be playing everyday from here on out. Let’s see what he can do in an everyday role. Martin and Urias have options, but it’s also time to see what they can do in an everyday role.  Adding that up means Jones is going to have to wait a bit.  He might get a look in September.  He will get a long look in ST  

 

[orioles119]

I have liked this move from the jump.  There's no need why the O's should trot out an infield of Martin, Urias, Mateo, and Mountcastle for the remainder of the season.

[Camden_yardbird]

Mateo is a player I really wanted the Orioles to target in the off season.  He is the type of player you take a risk on.

[NelsonCruuuuuz]

6 minutes ago, Camden_yardbird said:

Mateo is a player I really wanted the Orioles to target in the off season.  He is the type of player you take a risk on.

Exactly 

[Frobby]

2 hours ago, SteveA said:

Valaika .531 OPS this year, .649 career.

Mateo .572 OPS this year, .545 career.

We got 2, almost 3, years younger.

Mumble, mumble, something about deck chairs.

Yeah, I’m pretty underwhelmed.   Putting aside his SSS big league numbers, he’s been a .739 OPS hitter in the PCL.   No reason to expect him to post a .700.+ OPS in the majors.