Baltimore Orioles: Three Other Players Who Could Be Traded

Will Richard Bleier return to the Baltimore Orioles in 2020?

A quick look at Richard Bleier’s numbers don’t show much in terms of someone another franchise would be willing to trade for. However, Bleier can still provide value on the mound, despite turning 33 years old next April.

Bleier currently makes just north of $500,000 and is projected to earn a little more than $1 million in arbitration this offseason, according to MLB Trade Rumors. That’s a small raise for someone who ranked second among Orioles relievers in fWAR this season (0.6) despite still working his way back from major surgery.

The lefty appeared in 53 games, going 3-0 with a 5.37 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. He hadn’t posted an ERA higher than 1.99 through his first three seasons in the majors. Bleier’s FIP was more than a full run lower than his ERA (4.19). He was visibly upset at one point late in the season, arguing with Orioles coaches over defensive positioning which he felt was hurting more than helping. To be fair, he had a point.

A 4.88 K/9 IP rate is significantly low and his fastball velocity (averages 89 mph) and fastball spin rate both rank among the bottom 5% of the league, but Bleier was highly effective at producing weak contact, keeping the ball on the ground, and limiting walks.

His 3.1 barrel percentage ranked in the top 3% of major league pitchers (MLB average was 6.3%), his 3.2% walk rate was in the top 2%, and his 60% groundball rate was the second-highest mark of his career and around 15% higher than the MLB average this season.

Unfortunately, Bleier owned a .355 average against and posted a 1.77 WHIP against right-handed hitters, compared to a .222 average and 0.87 WHIP against lefties. With the days of lefty specialist pitchers seemingly numbered, will another team see enough in Bleier to come calling?

Shawn Armstrong was one of the more effective relievers for the Baltimore Orioles in 2019.

Like Bleier, Shawn Armstrong could be another bullpen piece moved this offseason for a few international dollars or low-level prospects. Armstrong was claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners back in April and proceeded to go 1-0 with a 5.13 ERA (4.28 FIP), four saves, and a team-leading 0.7 fWAR (among all Orioles relief pitchers).

He’s just 29 years old, is making less than $600,000, and isn’t a free agent until 2024, according to Baseball Reference. Cheap, controllable, and not a complete disaster on the mound is a low bar, but it’s what the Orioles will be looking to fill their rotation and bullpen with over the next year or two until some of the top prospect arms come up and the team is in position to hand out larger contracts to more high-profile free agents.

He struck out nearly 10/9 IP in an Orioles uniform this season and limited lefties to a .202 average and .275 wOBA, but he walked more than 4/9 IP, righties hit .324 with a .390 wOBA against him, and his second-half slash line of .330/.394/.470 was a big jump from his first-half line of .235/.341/.429.

After coming out hot and looking like a fantastic pick up for Mike Elias, Armstrong came back down to Earth a bit, but was still one of the more reliable options out of the bullpen. Take that for what it’s worth.

While I wouldn’t be upset if the Orioles ended up trading or non-tendering Richard Bleier, I wouldn’t mind another season of Shawn Armstrong, just to see if he can limit his walks next year and take step forward after a full offseason with the organization.

Will the Baltimore Orioles sell high on Hanser Alberto?

Hanser Alberto’s name has been thrown around since this year’s trade deadline and has continued to come up here and there as someone a few teams wouldn’t mind having on the roster next year. Should the Orioles take advantage and sell at peak value or hang on to him for another season?

If Jonathan Villar is moved, I don’t expect Alberto to go anywhere. The Orioles are already limited up the middle and there’s no guarantee Rio Ruiz sticks at third base, despite a strong defensive performance and notable improvements at the plate from the first to the second half of the season.

Alberto can fill in at third base, but plays a much better second base. His defense at second received one of the highest ratings of any Orioles player at any position in 2019. The Orioles have already claimed Pat Valaika off waivers from Colorado and are reportedly still in the market for a shortstop/second baseman, just in case.

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Alberto hit .305 overall (.398 vs lefties, .238 vs righties) and owns one of the lowest hard-hit rates in the major leagues, but he was worth 1.9 Wins Above Replacement in 2019 and quickly became a fan favorite among Orioles fans. I’m not sure how Alberto produced the way he did, but he proved to be the most valuable pick up of the offseason.

The organization’s new philosophy when it comes to trading away players isn’t going to change this offseason. If a team comes calling, the return has to make the organization better, otherwise, Mike Elias isn’t going to move someone just to move them.

For that reason, I don’t think the bigger name guys are dealt this offseason. Maybe at next year’s deadline, after guys like Mychal Givens are given an opportunity to increase their trade value. But maybe a few smaller moves involving these three guys happens. It all depends on how Mike Elias plans to construct his roster for 2020.

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