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Baltimore Orioles: 5 players most likely to be traded before 2019

By Tim Smart

BALTIMORE, MD - MARCH 31: The Oriole Bird mascot waves a flag on the mound during Opening Day ceremonies before the start of the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on March 31, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - MARCH 31: The Oriole Bird mascot waves a flag on the mound during Opening Day ceremonies before the start of the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on March 31, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Baltimore Orioles
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 5: Second baseman Jonathan Villar #2 of the Baltimore Orioles throws to first base after fielding a ball hit by Denard Span #4 of the Seattle Mariners during the second inning of a game at Safeco Field on September 5, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. Span was safe on play with an infield single. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

Is Jonathan Villar part of the long-term plan in Baltimore?

Jonathan Villar is a excellent middle infielder. He spent time in Houston and Milwaukee before coming over to Baltimore in the Jonathan Schoop trade at the deadline in July.

In the 50 games since coming to the Orioles, Villar has hit .262/.338/.395 with 8 homers and 20 steals.

Villar is still a good baseball player. Which makes us wonder why he’s with the Orioles, and whether or not he’ll be here come next year.

Villar will be going into his age-28 season next year, and also his second arbitration year. He’s currently making $2.55 million, with a decent pay increase likely coming.

The upside with Villar is that he’s good now and he’s affordable for the next two years. And entering free-agency in his age-30 season, he might always be affordable. But it seems crazy to hold onto Villar with the hope that he re-signs with the Orioles in 2021.

He can help a team in win-now mode next year, and the Orioles should capitalize on that and move him while they can.

Let’s assume, for this conversation, that Villar will be primarily a second baseman. Second base isn’t exactly devoid of talent these days, but there are a few contenders who could use a player like Villar.

Boston, Philly, Arizona and maybe Colorado depending on what D.J. LeMahieu does in free agency, could all be potential destinations for Villar.

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