The Baltimore Orioles announced they have acquired first baseman Mark Trumbo and LHP C.J. Riefenhauser from the Mariners for catcher Steve Clevenger.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports initially reported the news Tuesday. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports confirmed the deal.
Rumblings about the Mariners dealing Trumbo picked up steam around Thanksgiving, with ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reporting "several" rival executives were expecting the 29-year-old to be traded.
Trumbo's trade status was unusual before Tuesday's deal, as Dutton noted, because the Orioles were "concerned" they could be trading a player under contract for someone the Mariners "could choose not to offer a contract to" before Wednesday's deadline.
David Schoenfield of ESPN.com broke down why Trumbo put himself in a position where being tendered a contract was not a given:
...in the past two seasons, he's averaged 18 home runs and 64 RBIs, posted a .303 OBP and averaged 0.2 WAR per season. He was a little better in 2015 after an injury-plagued 2014, but he hit just .263/.316/.419 with the Mariners -- poor numbers for a first baseman or DH. That player is a borderline tender candidate at $9 million.
With Trumbo now in the fold for Baltimore, he is assured of having a home next year. Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors estimated that Trumbo will make $9.1 million through salary arbitration in 2016.
The Orioles don't have the luxury of spending big money on the open market, so they have to supplement their roster in different ways. For all his flaws, Trumbo does bring 20-plus homer power to hitter-friendly Camden Yards.
Even though Trumbo isn't the dynamic bat Baltimore fans may be seeking, he does fill a need as a potential replacement for free agent Chris Davis at first base or in left field, where Orioles players combined for a .640 OPS in 2015.
As long as the Trumbo trade isn't the only move Baltimore makes this offseason, his addition is welcome for a franchise in need of adding multiple bats to avoid falling behind the pack in the American League East.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
- Login to post comments