Baltimore Orioles: Would the Orioles move Trey Mancini to the outfield?

Sep 22, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Trey Mancini (67) doubles in the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Trey Mancini (67) doubles in the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Davis has six years remaining on his $161 Million contract. Would the Baltimore Orioles consider moving top first base prospect Trey Mancini to the outfield?

The Baltimore Orioles have Chris Davis signed for the next six seasons. And it doesn’t appear Davis is going anywhere anytime soon.

The Davis signing blocks top first baseman prospect Trey Mancini from making the Major Leagues at his primary position. But would the Orioles be willing to move Mancini from first base to the outfield should he join the roster next season?

A person within the Orioles organization told MasnSports.com the following:

If I’m running things, the day we signed Davis, I would have been thinking about that.

Manager Buck Showalter indicated it was a possibility the team moves Mancini to the outfield should the Orioles lose Mark Trumbo to free agency.

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Mancini has the bat to compete in the Major Leagues; he hit.357/.400/1.071 with three homers and five RBI in five games with the club. Mancini’s also proved he’s capable of playing in the minor leagues, which could force the Orioles to give him a good look in Spring Training. He hit .282/.357/.458 with 20 home runs and 68 RBI between Double-A and Triple-A.

Mancini has the bat to compete in Baltimore, and the Orioles could undergo their ‘Mancini to the outfield’ experiment in February and March. Not to mention moving Mancini to the outfield could provide room for both him and Davis on the roster. Showalter hinted the club could use a right-handed bat with power that could also give Davis a reprieve at first from time to time.

Of course, all of this relies on whether Trumbo returns and if Davis can stay healthy. Davis was already battling hand issues throughout the season before the Orioles scheduled him for a MRI last week.

Next: Team should consider extending Zach Britton

Although doubtful, it’s possible Davis could miss time in Spring Training with his hand injury. And that would give Mancini a chance to compete for a temporary job at first base. However, if Davis is good to go in February, the Orioles would have to be creative should they want to have both Davis and Mancini on the roster.