The only news to pass through the Orioles organization yesterday was Livan Soto clearing outright waivers and being assigned to Triple-A Norfolk.
The previous times being designated for assignment gave Soto the freedom to refuse it. He also knows about the crowded infield that makes it harder to infiltrate the major league roster. But he stays.
Having Soto in the fold but off the 40-man roster doesn’t qualify as a surprise to me. I thought about five that I’ll post here.
Signing Tomoyuki Sugano.
It makes sense now, finding a veteran starter on a one-year deal in the international free agent market who’s had tremendous success in Japan and is viewed as capable of adapting to major league hitters with a six-pitch mix, strong work ethic and open mind. The cost is reasonable by today’s standards at $13 million. It comes across as a low-risk, high-reward type of situation.
There wasn’t that much buzz about the Orioles and Sugano. His name popped up in a few reviews of free agent starters and how the Orioles might be a match, but the national media wasn’t offering firm predictions on a signing. I don’t recall the team being a favorite.
I don’t recall much about Sugano, perhaps because of the obsession over Roki Sasaki. MLBTradeRumors.com ranked him 46th in its top 50 free agents and its four-member panel picked the Rangers, Angels, Brewers and Mets to sign him. The Red Sox, Giants, Padres and Blue Jays were named as having past interest.
Nothing about the Orioles.
Signing Gary Sánchez.
Again, the lack of buzz fooled many of us.
The Orioles needed a backup catcher. Every team has one. And they didn’t chase James McCann, who is searching for a new home.
McCann is admired for his leadership and work behind the plate, his handling of a pitching staff. He’s one of the most respected players in baseball.
Sánchez brings more power and his right-handed bat became a target for the Orioles. Backups usually are defense-first but the Orioles went the offensive route while also noting the improvements from Sánchez behind the plate.
This signing for $8.5 million keeps the seat warm for Samuel Basallo, MLB Pipeline’s No. 13 prospect who will begin the 2024 season in Triple-A at age 20. He could debut this summer.
Danny Coulombe remains unsigned.
I made the assumption that teams would rush to Coulombe after he hit free agency, a high-leverage left-handed reliever who was an important contributor to two Orioles playoff teams – though he missed three months last season after having bone chips removed from his elbow.
Coulombe is 35 years old and coming off surgery. Maybe that’s why he’s still available, which became official after the Orioles declined his $4 million option. Maybe it’s the slow-moving relief market, where former Orioles lefty Tanner Scott also is unsigned.
It seems to be picking up.
The Orioles could add one more reliever, but I haven’t heard anything about Coulombe. They could begin the season today with Félix Bautista, Seranthony Domínguez, Yennier Cano, Andrew Kittredge, Cionel Pérez, Gregory Soto, Keegan Akin and Albert Suárez.
Anthony Santander remains unsigned.
I suppose it’s less surprising when a player seeking four or five years is lagging behind, but we’ve entered the third week of January and still no agreement.
Reports from The Athletic suggest that Santander could take a shorter-term deal. Other reports have the Blue Jays remaining in negotiations. The Angels and Tigers also have been linked to him, but the list seems pretty light for a guy who hit 44 home runs last season.
The Orioles signed outfielder Tyler O’Neill to a three-year, $49.5 million contract that seemed to end any chance of Santander staying in the organization.
Luis González and Kade Strowd on the 40-man roster.
The Orioles didn’t want to risk losing González and Strowd in the Rule 5 draft.
González is 33 years old and posted a 4.50 ERA in 60 innings with Norfolk, but he walked only 12 batters and struck out 71. He circled back to the organization after signing in 2013 and returning in 2023.
Strowd didn’t allow an earned run in 10 1/3 innings with Double-A Bowie but had a 6.80 ERA in 41 innings with Norfolk. He struck out 71 batters in those 51 1/3 innings.
Brandon Young was a lock to be protected. The other two came out of nowhere.
Will they stay on the 40-man through the winter and spring training? Let’s find out. My read is that there are a few others at greater risk.
