Baltimore Orioles: Another View on Matt Wieters Deal
By Nate Wardle
Sep 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters (32) throws Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Justin Smoak (not pictured) out at first base during the eighth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Toronto Blue Jays defeated Baltimore Orioles 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Orioles will be paying Matt Wieters $15.8 million in 2016 to be their catcher, after he became the second player in history (and in days) to accept a qualifying offer.
This means that the Orioles have solved one of the positions that Dan Duquette said was on his wish list. Duquette kept mentioning catching depth, and it is rumored the team may carry three catchers in 2016. I think that will be a prudent decision.
Wieters coming back does not thrill me as much as it does others. I wrote in late last season that the O’s were really struggling when Wieters was behind the plate.
So, it is clear that the O’s franchise catcher is going to have to hone in on working with the pitching staff. But, what if he doesn’t catch more than 80 games in 2016?
At this point, the person who benefits the most from Wieters coming back may be Steve Pearce. With the contract to Wieters for one year, it means that re-signing Chris Davis and also getting the much-needed pitching is going to be difficult.
Pearce, well no one is totally sure what 2015 meant. Was this what a normal year is for him? Or was it a down year for Pearce? Regardless, he is even more valuable now to the Orioles than he was a week ago.
Pearce can play first place, and the corner outfield positions. This allows the Orioles to worry more about pitching and the outfield, and let first base alone.
Now, I know you are reading this and thinking, Pearce as the everyday starter, WHY? Well, I don’t think that is the case.
Matt Wieters started twice at first base in 2015. Wieters is tall, he has pretty good range, and is more athletic than most catchers. For all intents and purposes he looked pretty good at first base.
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In addition, Steve Clevenger has played 13 major league games at first base. That included part of a game in 2015. So, you now have Pearce, Wieters and and Clevenger who can all play at first. Now, let me add one more name to this list. Nolan Reimold.
I’m not the first person to rumor that Reimold may be able to play first base. There was talk about this a few years ago as a way to help Reimold as he dealt with his injury issues. He is healthy, so there is no fear of him injuring his Achilles at first base.
I’m sure some readers are thinking that this is another low budget fix for the O’s. And, while that is true, I think it is a way to deal with the fact of a lot of needs this offseason.
Most important is starting pitching. And that costs money. The O’s currently need a first baseman, two corner outfielders, someone to play DH, and the pitching help.
But re-signing Pearce and keeping Reimold, I think it can take care of two positions. Between those two, Wieters and Clevenger, first base and left field is taken care of. Bring in an All-Star caliber outfielder to man right field, and someone else to battle these guys, and you have people who can play DH as well.
The team, and writers, continue to talk about the need for better on-base percentage. That is the one thing you know you are getting with Reimold when he gets regular playing time, as proven at the end of last season.
Wieters coming back, and the price, makes things a little tougher for the Orioles. It means that Dan Duquette has to be more creative. But in the end, making these moves frees up more money for the other outfield position and for the starting pitching.
And, let’s be honest, it is all about the starting pitching.