Bird Watching - The Big Debate Over If The Orioles Should Bring Mark Trumbo Back Is Gaining Steam
This has been a big topic for Oriole fans in this offseason, should Baltimore bring back the 2016 MLB leader in home runs, Mark Trumbo? He came to Baltimore in one of the most lopsided trades I’ve seen in sometime, acquiring the slugger from Seattle for racist catcher, Steve Clevenger. Trumbo fit into this lineup and ballpark perfectly, finishing his season with 47 homers, 108 driven in, 27 doubles, scored 94 runs, and hit .256. Not too shabby for a guy who has bounced around and couldn’t find a home.
His defense is what has everyone up in arms. The Orioles stuck him out in right to hide him a little. Watching him you wouldn’t think he is that bad, only 6 errors in the outfield in 96 games, and threw in 10 outfield assists. But it is the nerd stats where they really show how bad he is. He is a UZR of -7.7, that translates to a poopy fielder. It’s clear that Trumbo’s best position is first, but the Deputy, Chris Davis, has that spot locked up for the next six years. So if the Orioles were to bring him back, would he be a full time DH? Or are we going to see Trumbo in the outfield again?
It seemed like the market for Trumbo had dried up until the report that the Oakland A’s were testing the waters with him. Rumors were that the Orioles had pulled their offer, believed to be around 4-years and $70-$75 million. It’s insane to think that he gets 1 more year and $10 million more than Encarnacion, but go get that money I guess. Even with word that the O’s have pulled that offer, they are still believed to be in contact with the slugger and his camp. If we’re being honest, that is probably the best deal that Trumbo has seen, he just wants to wait it out and see if anyone will come in higher. This situation kind of mirrors the Chris Davis saga of last season, O’s throw out a big deal, his camp says no, O’s pull deal, market dies, O’s come back and negotiate against their self and end up signing said player for more than first offer. Wherever and whenever Trumbo signs, it likely won’t be the deal he envisioned when the offseason started.
The poll I ran on twitter shows that over 55% of voters wanted Trumbo back, and why not? You know what you’re going to get with him. Below average defense, if he plays everyday you will likely see 35-40 homers, and an average from .250-.260. Why wouldn’t you want that? If you’re a team with an open spot at DH, it’s perfect for you. Maybe stick him in the OF or at first if someone needs a break, but you know that you are getting one of the best power hitters in the league. A bonafide home run threat every time he steps to the plate. I think it’s a no-brianer to bring Trumbo back. Wait him out a little bit, and maybe he takes a deal like Edwin, something around 3/$65 million. The Orioles have an advantage over other teams too, he won’t cost them a draft pick since he rejected their QO.
Some of the reasons I am hearing from Orioles fans that don’t want Trumbo back are they want the money to go to a pitcher. Answer me this, which starters are out there that you want? Tyson Ross jumps to mind, but he has injury history, and that also puts them at 7 starters for 5 spots, unless they pull off a trade for Ubaldo, Miley, or Gallardo, that ain’t gonna happen. Some say only if Trumbo plays DH only. That could happen too, but they would have to find that guy to play right. As pointed out here, Trumbo had the lowest fWAR that any single season home run leader has ever had, like in history.
It’s not like there are tons of viable candidates out there for the O’s to go after instead of Trumbo. Since Nick Markakis left, the Orioles have been looking out for a guy who to play right with a decent OBP, a good glove, and can hit at the top of the lineup. Look at the guys out there now. Colby Rasmus was an O’s target 2 years ago, almost had a deal until his agent asked for more money, now his agent is checking back in with the Birds. We saw what Michael Borun could do in a small sample size last year, I’d be in favor of him and bringing Trumbo back to DH. I’ve talked about Angel Pagan and Michael Saunders as well, they don’t necessarily fit all the qualities the O’s are looking at, but they could get the job done. A trade for Brett Gardner is unlikely, but still perks my ears a little bit. Bottom line is that there isn’t a guy sitting out there that makes the team better than Mark Trumbo makes them right now.
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A name that I am pulling out of a hat here is Michael Brantley. An All Star in 2014, he had surgery before last season on his shoulder, and just never recovered, eventually getting a second surgery. Do the Indians need him? They proved last year they could win without him. It would be interesting to check in on him and see if the Indians would listen to offers for the outfielder. Even though he has never played a game in RF, I’m sure the Orioles could make something work. Maybe a package of Brach, and a minor leaguer or three? He isn’t expensive, making $8,375,000 this season, with an $11 million team option for next season. He would fill every hole the O’s need filled in the outfield, can get on base, steal bases, and still has legit power. Just a name that I think would be interesting for the O’s to look at.
So there you go, do I think the O’s should bring back Mark Trumbo? For the right price, yes. But I think if he ends up leaving, they would be okay with a DH platoon of Trey Mancini, and bringing back Pedro Alvarez. Regalrdess of that situation, the right field spot must be filled soon. They are running out of guys on the market, Rajai Davis signed with Oakland this week for 1 year and $1 million, someone inform me why Dan Duquette couldn’t offer at least that? Davis is someone who would have been perfect in right. Bottom line is that this team is better with Trumbo than they are without him. And for a god damn steal, you could have a .260/40/100 guy, you can’t find those guys sitting there into January very often. Age isn’t a problem either, he’s only 30. A 3/$65 deal isn’t a franchise killer.