Five Players That The Baltimore Orioles Could Be Targeting

Ben Zobrist, 2B

Jul 6, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Ben Zobrist (18) hits an RBI single in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Although Zobrist isn’t as good as Utley at the second base position, he is probably less unlikely to be traded to the Orioles in that the Rays and O’s are in the same division. However, since Tampa is nine games back of first place and essentially out of the race, one could still ask the question. Zobrist has been linked to the Seattle Mariners, but the Orioles are still a name that you can throw in the mix.

Much like Utley, Zobrist has posed impressive power for a second baseman. The nine-year veteran has hit 20 or more home runs three times in his career while posting a career .263 average and .354 on base percentage. He is often considered one of the best utility players of his generation and is sometimes referred to as a “super utility play”.

It happens to be that I’m not all that mad with the production that we have seen out of Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop so far this season. The average hasn’t quite been there, but he has shown some flashes of power and consistency and has played well in the field. I’m just saying that if the Baltimore Orioles want to make a World Series run, they might have to make a big move and this would certainly contend as one.