If you’re an Orioles fan, the last week has to seem like a blessing. GM Dan Duquette finally got off his duff and did something about this dreadful offseason. As many baseball enthusiasts know, this is the last season before generational talent, Manny Machado, hits free agency. It’s also could be the last season the core members of the Baltimore Orioles try to win it all. With manager Buck Showalter and general manager Dan Duquette in the last years of their respective deals and Zack Britton, Adam Jones, Brad Brach, and Manny reaching their last year before free agency, the time is now.
The Orioles virtually did nothing the entire offseason until a week after spring training started and even those initial signings were minor league deals. Not the best way to show your best player that the organization is committed to winning. Alas, the change purse opened and the O’s signed Andrew Cashner to a 2 year deal. He sported a 3.40 ERA last year, not too shabby. Then Duquette sign Tillman, the O’s longtime ace that crashed and burned the year before, to a minor league deal, a low risk, high reward deal.
Duquette then turned his attention to the heavy right-handed lineup. In a baffling move he signed, recently retired Colby Rasmus followed by Pedro Alvarez the hefty lefty who should have been rewarded with a decent contract instead of Trumbo. Nothing of the aforementioned signing swung the needle much when it came to excitement for the new season. Certainly none of them told Manny you should sign with us, we are committed.
Then came Alex Cobb. In an organization that is so fickle with its background checks and physicals, it’s amazing to see that the team would even glance at the 2015 Tommy John recipient. Cobb, a proven AL East veteran, signed a 4 year 57million dollar contract. This was the largest contract ever given to a free agent pitcher and its coming off the heels of the ill fated 4 year 50 million dollar deal given to Ubaldo Jimenez, which was an unmitigated disaster. Finally, a proven ace to pair with Bundy and Gausman for the next four year and a commitment long term to winning.
Now pair that news with the contract the current AL MVP and 4 time batting champ Jose Altuve just got and it could be heavenly. Altuve just signed a 5 year extension worth 167 million. The contract will take him through his 33 year old season and buy out his prime. Manny, though great, does not have Altuve’s track record. Could this be the frame work for a deal along with the teams new found commitment to winning? Signing Buck to a new deal and Manny’s best friend and double play partner Jonathan Schoop would certainly help but it’s a start and it gives the O’s fans something it didn’t have before; hope.
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