Baltimore Orioles: Three Other Players Who Could Be Traded

We know who the bigger trade chips are on the Baltimore Orioles roster, but could a few smaller moves be made early this offseason to clear roster space?

The first day of the offseason provided quite a bit of entertainment around the league. No earth-shattering moves were made, but a number of players declared free agency, notable names had their options picked up or declined, and we even had a few small trades. For the Baltimore Orioles, the first day of the offseason saw the first steps in clearing room on the 40-man.

Pitchers Josh Rogers, Luis Ortiz, Ryan Eades, and Tayler Scott, along with outfielder Mason Williams were all removed from the 40-man, with all but Williams accepting an assignment to Triple-A. As of Thursday morning, Mark Trumbo‘s name also came off the books as he officially became a free agent.

On the trade front, the Pittsburgh Pirates traded reliever Parker Markel to the Los Angeles Angels, the San Diego Padres traded outfielder Travis Jankowski to Cincinnati for international bonus money, and the Texas Rangers acquired former Orioles catcher Welington Castillo and international bonus money for a minor league position player. The Rangers then announced they will not be picking up Castillo’s option for next year.

Could we see the Orioles make a few small trades like these? It’s very likely we see Mike Elias go after more depth pieces in similar moves, but which players could Elias be looking to move in one of these small deals?

We all know who the “big” trade chips are. Jonathan Villar seems to be the likeliest to be moved, while Mychal Givens is another name that has been thrown around since early 2019. We also know that the Orioles will at least listen to offers for Trey Mancini, but it seems more and more unlikely he is moved this offseason, unless a team can put together quite the package. Here are three smaller names we could see moved this offseason as the Orioles continue to make space on the 40-man roster.

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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