Baltimore Orioles need an outfielder & Carlos Gonzalez is available

MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 11: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies makes a diving catch in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 11, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 11: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies makes a diving catch in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 11, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Orioles have a few needs for the 2018 season and with the Hot Stove season approaching, things could get interesting.

Or, the Baltimore Orioles could do very little. Hopefully, it’s the former as the team could use some more players with skill in the outfield, a left-handed bat, and a love of the game.

One such player is available and he just so happens to fit a few of the Orioles’ needs.

Carlos Gonzalez is an outfielder with speed, a left-handed bat, and an infectious personality. He has played for the Colorado Rockies in all but his first year when he played for the Oakland Athletics. At age 31, he has played 10 seasons in the MLB.

Hitting stats and a shelf full of awards

During his time in Colorado, Cargo (as he is loving called by his fans) has a slash of .292/.351/.521/.873. He has three Gold Glove awards, two Silver Slugger awards, and a batting title. Gonzalez has been to three All-Star Games, with the most recent being in 2016. He only hit 14 home runs in 2017. The most he has hit in one season is 40, which was in 2015. He does have 211 home runs with Colorado.

Defensively, Cargo is gifted. Players don’t randomly win Gold Gloves or attend All-Star Games if they aren’t deserving.

Smart time to snap him up

This would be a perfect off-season for the Orioles to work hard to sign Gonzalez. He did not have his best season, but he was still better than any of the men who manned right field for the Orioles. But, because Cargo had a down year, Dan Duquette might be able to get him for less than the $20 million that the Rockies paid him in 2017.

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Gonzalez’s trouble came in the first four months of the season. At the end of July, Cargo hit .228/.301/.339/.640, but in August and September, his slash improved to .325/.407/.583/.990. He hit six home runs in those first four months and eight in the final two. According to an article from Bob Nightengale with USA Today, Cargo attributes his improvement to working with a sleep coach.

What Cargo would replace

In 2017, Seth Smith played 80 games in right field. His slash for the entire season was .258/.340/.433/.774. He is a good outfielder, but he doesn’t offer the same style of play that Gonzalez does. Mark Trumbo and Craig Gentry were the other Orioles who covered right field. Cargo would definitely be an upgrade. Smith is a free agent, so he is a non-issue.

Next: World Series home runs hit by Orioles

Carlos Gonzalez would fill a few needs and he would do it with style and skill. Orioles fans would quickly get used to seeing Cargo on a daily basis. He makes baseball fun to watch, simply because he plays like he loves being on the field. Otherwise, I hear that Giancarlo Stanton might be available??