Where does Adam Frazier fit in the Orioles infield mix?
Hello friends.
It’s now three months and 12 days until Orioles Opening Day 2023. If you’re counting down to spring training, too bad! The pitcher and catcher report dates are ongoing. Based on previous patterns, it could be less than two months.
With last week’s signings, things have reached the point where there are almost no remaining free-agent pitchers who would create excitement if the Orioles signed them. If you’re pessimistic about Nathan Eovaldi, whether for his health, his FIP indicating potential for regression, or the cost of the draft pick, then there’s none left that would add immediate excitement to the roster. And if you’re not pessimistic about Eovaldi, then the contracts that have been handed out to other pitchers should make you pessimistic about the Orioles signing a guy like that.
What’s left to ponder is whether the Orioles will add another veteran to the rotation, likely either dull or with warts of some sort. Fellow Red Sox players Michael Wacha and Rich “The Blister” Hill have recently received vague mentions, including from MASN’s Roch Kubatko. So there is a possibility of a reunion with Jordan Lyles. It’s just like… I don’t even want to think about that last one. Or Hill, really.
There is no guarantee that the current list is the list for the opening day. There could be a trade from the O’s infield excess, or even outfield excess. They might feel the urge to sign someone with a proven ability to play at first base as Ryan Mountcastle’s backup and bencher, rather than relying on Anthony Santander to play first. There are weeks left to change things up, but not many free agents remain.
Around the blogO’sphere
Adam Frazier and the Orioles know what went wrong last season. Together they can fix it. (The Baltimore Banner)
One nice thing about the current Orioles development regime is that you can actually imagine that they can help bring out the best in a given player. The last guys, uh, you couldn’t really imagine that.
Orioles’ path into the postseason begins with new free agents who top last year’s class (The Baltimore Sun)
Kyle Gibson being better than Lyles and Adam Frazier better than Rougned Odor is one thing the Orioles seem to be counting on for 2023. I hope you are right.
How Signing Adam Frazier Affects Gold Glover Ramón Urías (Orioles.com)
Aside from the immediate question of whether Frazier will be any good, I also wonder how his presence affects the mix of seasons, which we could have guessed would exist without him. I’m genuinely confused and dismayed at the assumption that Frazier is headed for a starting role while Urías could be relegated to an auxiliary role.
Orioles, Angels, Rangers have expressed interest in Rich Hill (MLB Trade Rumors)
Please don’t do this to me, Mike Elias.
Baseball America’s JJ Cooper on Orioles Rule 5 draft selection (Steve Melewski)
Cooper highlights some of Andrew Politi’s positives while pointing out the challenge: Teams, particularly the Orioles, want their non-back-end relievers to be guys who can be voted down to the minors if the need arises fresh arm consists. Keeping a rule 5 player who can’t be picked complicates that goal.
Birthdays and Orioles anniversaries
There are a pair of former Orioles born on this day. These are: Jeremy Accardo from 2011 and Gino Cimoli, reserve outfielder from 1964.
Is today your birthday? Happy Birthday! Her birthday friends for today are: hymn composer and early Methodist Charles Wesley (1707), assassination victim Franz Ferdinand of Austria (1863), baseball Hall of Famer Ty Cobb (1886), Rolling Stones musician Keith Richards (1943), actor Brad Pitt (1963 ), wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin (1964), actress Katie Holmes (1978) and singer-songwriter Billie Eilish (2001).
On this day in history…
1892 Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker premiered in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
In 1916, during the First World War, the French army advanced about three kilometers and forced the German army to break off the series of attacks of the Battle of Verdun. During the nine-month battle, the two armies suffered a total of over 300,000 soldiers killed.
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And so it is on December 18th at Birdland. Have a safe sunday.
