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

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
BALTIMORE, MD – MAY 24: Catcher Caleb Joseph #36 of the Baltimore Orioles throws the ball against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 24, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Caleb Joseph’s time in Baltimore has run its course

Caleb Joseph doesn’t hold much, if any, trade value. But his comments to The Athletic’s Dan Connolly about a week ago show that Joseph isn’t the leader this clubhouse needs right now.

Joseph was a solid piece on the 2014 and 2016 Orioles teams, and many have complimented him on his potential future in baseball management.

But his performance this year suggests that his time in the majors is coming to a close; .220/.256/.324 with 3 homers in 274 PA’s isn’t good enough.

There’s a chance that the Orioles non-tender his contract after this year, and that’s absolutely my recommendation if they can’t trade him this offseason.

But maybe, hoping against hope, there’s a team out there in need of a poor-hitting back-up catcher. Injuries happen, and teams need to cover those plate appearances. And for what it’s worth, Joseph is still an adequate game caller.

Trying to come up with potential destinations here is tough, because the chances are low that a contender would be interested in Joseph. But he has two arbitration years left on the contract, so there’s a chance some team would take a look at him. Let’s just hope it isn’t the Orioles