{"id":8480,"date":"2024-11-15T23:41:06","date_gmt":"2024-11-15T23:41:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=8480"},"modified":"2024-11-15T23:41:06","modified_gmt":"2024-11-15T23:41:06","slug":"bird-droppings-anthony-santander-wins-a-silver-slugger-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=8480","title":{"rendered":"Bird Droppings: Anthony Santander wins a Silver Slugger award"},"content":{"rendered":"

It can be difficult to keep track of all of MLB\u2019s awards. They hand them out sporadically and so far after the games have been played that no one outside of us sickos actually cares, and I\u2019m not even sure how much many of us are terribly interested either.<\/p>\n

Anyway, they announced the winners of the Silver Slugger awards on Tuesday. One Oriole was honored. Anthony Santander and his 44 home runs took home the first Silver Slugger award of his career, joining Aaron Judge and Juan Soto as the outfield honorees in the American League.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a deserved award for Santander. He turned in career highs in homers (44), RBI (102), OPS (.814), and OPS+ (134) in 2024. There were arguments to be made for others on the junior circuit (Riley Greene, Yordan Alvarez, and Steven Kwan). But the beefy power numbers are tough to overlook for Santander and likely the reason why he won it.<\/p>\n

The timing is ideal as well for Santander. He is currently a free agent, and is expected to get a pretty big deal from someone this winter. Will the Orioles be that someone? Count me as doubtful there. It\u2019s not because Santander wasn\u2019t crucial to their success in recent years, but the team has some alternative options in the outfield, and they have bigger needs on the roster, starting pitching in particular.<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s still neat to see Santander get all of his flowers this year\u2014an all-star nod, a Silver Slugger, and soon a nice free agent contract! He has taken a long, winding road to end up here, and he seems like the nicest guy in the world. Congrats, Tony!<\/p>\n

Links<\/strong><\/p>\n

Who could take veteran at-bats for the 2025 Orioles? | The Baltimore Banner
\nJon Meoli chats through a bunch of options for the Orioles. Teoscar Hern\u00e1ndez and Jurickson Profar emerge as the best fits, if not the absolute best players on the market. Both sound like reasonable targets.<\/p>\n

Roki Sasaki will likely make a big impact for some MLB team, but at a small initial price | Steve Melewski
\nSasaki does seem to be an intriguing talent, and one that would fit what the Orioles are after this winter. But will they sign him? They should certainly try, although most people expect him to go to one of the big clubs.<\/p>\n

Baseball\u2019s best hitters honored with Silver Slugger Awards |\u00a0MLB.com
\nMore information on Santander (and others) that received the cherished Silver Slugger award. Maybe a few more Orioles will make the list next year.<\/p>\n

Nick Pivetta Unlikely To Accept Qualifying Offer | MLB Trade Rumors
\nThe Orioles are mentioned here as a fit for Pivetta with Jeff Passan making the connection. That does not mean the O\u2019s have talked with Pivetta, but simply that there is logic in him going to Baltimore. Pivetta has been solid throughout his career, but good enough to turn down the $21.05 million qualifying offer? Eh, not so sure about that. Good luck though, man!<\/p>\n

Orioles birthdays<\/strong><\/p>\n

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!<\/p>\n