O's appear likely to add outfielder
Alvarez, Jackson, Bruce lead list; Walker could get look at corner outfield in Norfolk
SARASOTA, Fla. — The Orioles still appear likely to enhance their outfield depth, which should be less complicated now that there are no more free agents tied to draft-pick compensation.
Manager Buck Showalter was noncommittal when asked Sunday whether there is a feeling of urgency within the organization to acquire another player, but it has become fairly obvious that club officials are discussing which of the remaining players available would fit best.
“I think it's player-exclusive,” Showalter said. “There's only a sense of urgency if you feel like it upgrades your club. Then you'd like to, but I think it depends on what player it is.”
The most prominent names attached to the Orioles' search are free-agent first baseman Pedro Alvarez, free-agent outfielder Austin Jackson and trade-available Cincinnati Reds slugger Jay Bruce, all players with different skills who would fit on the Orioles in different ways.
Alvarez, for instance, is not an outfielder, and would be signed only if the Orioles intend to play Mark Trumbo regularly in right field. Even if they do, it's problematic because the team cannot be certain that Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim will be able to hold the starting job in left field.
Bruce is intriguing, because the Reds appear eager to shed the $12.5 million owed to him this year. He's a proven left-handed power hitter who has averaged 26 homers over his eight major league seasons and can be retained on a club option in 2017. The downside is that his batting average and on-base percentage have dropped off the past two seasons.
Jackson might be the best fit because Showalter typically prefers players versatile enough to play all outfield positions, particularly center field.
If the Orioles don't go outside the organization, Nolan Reimold and Rule 5 draft pick Joey Rickard have the speed and range to relieve Adam Jones occasionally.
O's could try Walker in OF: The emergence of fast-rising minor league prospect Trey Mancini could prompt the Orioles to find out whether fellow first base prospect Christian Walker can play a corner outfield position, but Showalter said that won't happen during training camp. The Orioles have too many outfield candidates to use exhibition innings on anyone else.
Showalter said that if Walker moves to the outfield, it likely would be during the regular season at Triple-A Norfolk.
Desmond's signing helps O's: When former Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond agreed to terms with the Texas Rangers over the weekend, the qualifying-offer system paid off again for the Orioles. The Rangers lost their first-round pick in the forthcoming draft, which improved the Orioles' first pick from 28th to 27th. The Orioles also have the 54th, 69th, 76th and 91st overall picks in the first four rounds.
Intrasquad highlights: The Orioles played 51/3 innings in their second intrasquad game, and again, neither offense scored.
Young pitchers Dylan Bundy, Hunter Harvey and Jason Garcia all were impressive. Bundy threw nine of his 13 pitches for strikes and struck out Matt Wieters and Chris Davis. Harvey threw 10 strikes in 14 pitches and got three ground-ball outs. Garcia retired all four batters he faced.
Walker delivered the only extra-base hit of either intrasquad game, a double in the fifth inning off Cesar Cabral.
Intrasquad lowlights: Trumbo failed to make a fairly routine catch on the first fly ball hit to him in right field. It didn't look good, but the bright, breezy conditions at Ed Smith Stadium can take some getting used to.
The game ended after nonroster pitcher Ashur Tolliver hit outfielder L.J. Hoes in the thigh with a fastball. Hoes didn't appear to be injured, but he didn't seem too happy about it.
Punt on bunting: Showalter said he enjoyed watching Ryan Flaherty lay down a bunt for a single off Kevin Gausman in the first inning, but bunting during an intrasquad game apparently is frowned upon.
Flaherty came back to the clubhouse to find his locker completely emptied and his clothes, shoes and possessions strewn across the floor.
“I'll know better than to do that again,'' Flaherty said.
Medical update: Pitcher Chris Tillman's “core muscle injury” was the news of the day, but there were some more upbeat updates. Chaz Roe was feeling better after being drilled in the leg by a sharp come-backer in Saturday's game. Reimold's “cranky” shoulder isn't that cranky anymore, since he is scheduled to start Tuesday's Grapefruit League opener against the Atlanta Braves. Hoes and Chance Sisco apparently are fine after being hit by pitches.
Orioles honor Barlow: Every Orioles player and coach who took part in Sunday's intrasquad game wore orange Lungevity T-shirts in honor of former public-relations director Monica Barlow, who died two years ago Feb. 28. Barlow promoted Lungevity during her long battle with lung cancer. To donate to the research nonprofit, go to lungevity.org.
Around the horn:Mike Wright will start against Braves pitcher Williams Perez in the exhibition opener Tuesday in Lake Buena Vista. Ubaldo Jimenez will start the exhibition home opener Wednesday against Atlanta's Aaron Blair. Miguel Gonzalez will start Thursday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte, and Vance Worley will face the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin. … Outfielder Efren Navarro, who was purchased from the Los Angeles Angels in January and designated for assignment last week, cleared waivers and chose free agency.
peter.schmuck@baltsun.com
twitter.com/schmuckstop