Orioles Sign Franchy Cordero, Claim Lewin Diaz

The Baltimore Orioles have signed 1B/OF Franchy Cordero to a split contract that can pay $1.35MM if Cordero makes the majors, or $450K if he’s in the minors, per FanSided’s own Robert Murray. Earlier today, the Orioles also claimed first baseman Lewin Diaz off waivers, per Craig Mish. Diaz was DFA’d by the Pirates earlier this week after they claimed him off waivers from the Marlins.

Franchy Cordero could impact the Baltimore Orioles in 2023

Franchy Cordero will be joining his fourth team, with previous stints with the Padres, Royals, and Red Sox. He’s coming off of a season in which he slashed .219/.300/.397 while hitting 8 home runs and posting a 92 OPS+. His work in the field was not much better, as he had -7 OAA at 1B and -3 OAA between LF and RF.

Cordero has always been a fascinating breakout candidate, as he can hit the ball harder than almost anyone in baseball. He’s had a max exit velocity in the top percentile each of the past two years. The issue is that I said he can hit the ball hard, not that he does hit the ball hard. His average exit velocity of 89.7 ranked him 104th this year (min. 150 batted balls).

Cordero is a player with whom you just have to try to ride the highs. He put up a .803 OPS in 26 games in May and went 6-for-23 with 4 home runs in August. The rest of the year, however, he did not hit well, and he bounced between AAA and MLB last year. Consistency has always been the biggest issue for him.

“Camden Cordero” could provide some value for the Orioles as a bench bat or as someone to fill in during injuries. He’s best suited in a DH role as he hasn’t quite found a home defensively. If nothing else, Cordero offers depth for the Orioles, but he could get hot and force his way into the lineup for a brief time. It’s worth noting he hits left-handed, so his longest home runs could reach Eutaw Street.

Will Lewin Diaz make the Baltimore Orioles?

Lewin Diaz is an interesting pickup, but he doesn’t really cost the Orioles anything if he doesn’t make the team out of spring training. He’s played in parts of three seasons with the Marlins but hasn’t shown much of an ability to hit major league pitching. He hit .169/.224/.288 in 2022, which kept him in the MLB for just 58 games.

Diaz has made an impact by showing an incredible glove at first base, totaling 4 OAA in each of the past two seasons. There’s not much of a place for defensive specialist on a contending team, especially at a position that isn’t known for defense, but it’s worth nothing that he has a good glove. Unfortunately for him, Ryan Mountcastle is coming off of his best defensive season, so he doesn’t appear to be going anyway.

Whether Lewin Diaz makes the team out of spring training is tough to say, as the Orioles’ may see Cordero as the better option for a bench bat.

Will Either Make the Baltimore Orioles Opening Day Roster?

Whether either Cordero or Diaz make the opening day roster will be determined by how the rest of the offseason goes. Currently, the Orioles have a few bench options, including Tyler Nevin, Ryan McKenna, and Terrin Vavra, and are expected to add a catcher. There’s room to add one of them to the bench, and I’d expect Cordero to be more likely given his offensive ceiling. It’s hard to get excited over either of the moves, but depth is key. The Orioles have had plenty of success recently with waiver claims (see: Austin Voth and Jorge Mateo), so either could surprise fans as a low-risk move for 2023.