Baltimore Orioles: J.P. Arencibia’s childhood dream comes true

It is somewhat of a bittersweet reunion for the Baltimore Orioles most recent signing.

The Orioles announced today that they added another former American League East catcher to their roster with the signing of free agent catcher J.P. Arencibia.

The Orioles know Arencibia well as he’s a former first-round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2007 and the club’s primary catcher over the 2011-13 seasons. Arencibia offers remarkable power from the backstop with 74 home runs in five years in the Major Leagues, but also sports a career .207 batting average and has struck out 462 times. While his career numbers aren’t spectacular, he’s enjoyed success playing at Camden Yards, batting .304 with four homers and 18 RBIs in his 69 at-bats.

Arencibia knows what it is like to wear an Orioles jersey too. The former University of Tennessee star tweeted earlier today about his excitement to put on the same jersey he wore as a child.

At 29 years old, Arencibia is the classic low-risk signing that Dan Duquette and Buck Showalter have made since their arrival in Baltimore. They have the uncanny ability to find guys who have Major League experience late in the offseason at bargain prices. Look no further than a year ago when they were able to sign Nelson Cruz and Delmon Young in the latter portion of the offseason. They are prime examples of players that the front office has picked up at a discounted price and have performed well for the club.

The signing of Arencibia comes as a surprise as the ballclub already has Matt Wieters, Caleb Joseph, Ryan Lavarnway, Steve Clevenger and Michael Ohlman on their 40-man roster. The hearsay around the club is that Lavarnway or Clevenger are the most likely options to be designated for assignment with Delmon Young also being added to the roster today.

The Orioles have nothing to lose with the Arencibia signing. Outside of Wieters, Arencibia has the most MLB experience of the group. He will continue working with Scott Coolbaugh, the Orioles new hitting coach who helped Arencibia hit .279 with 14 long balls and 48 RBIs at Triple-A Round Rock last summer. If he has a terrific Spring Training and proves he can contribute to the Major League roster, there is no reason why he would not be a welcomed addition.

More from Baltimore Orioles

• What other Baltimore Orioles Offseason Storylines will you be interested in seeing?
• Baltimore Orioles to Face Numerous Playoff Contenders Down the Stretch
• Baltimore Orioles Showing Encouraging Signs During Recent Wins
• The Baltimore Orioles and the Expanded September Roster
• Orioles Josh Rogers Expectations in his Major League Debut

With no true designated hitter on the team, Showalter could be taking the conservative approach by keeping an abundance of catchers on the roster so that Wieters could serve as the DH in the early stages of the season. Arencibia has also played at first base in the past, but with Chris Davis locked in as the primary first baseman and Steve Pearce on the roster, he doesn’t figure to get any time at the corner position.

Arencibia could be seen as an insurance policy based on how the club feels about Wieters. Wieters is no guarantee in any shape for the Orioles. First, he is returning from Tommy John surgery and the Orioles aren’t exactly sure what to expect from him. He’s also a free agent at the end of the season and it could be difficult to keep him in Baltimore.

Arencibia comes with two years of arbitration eligibility remaining which gives the Orioles some flexibility should he have a breakout season. With the Orioles having so many potential free agents in 2016, J.P. offers Showalter an option at catcher should Wieters depart.

The situation is a win-win for all parties involved. Arencibia has the rare opportunity to win for the Orioles as a child and a professional. Baltimore may have found another diamond in the rough that could also be the heir at catcher.

Hopefully, the “big kid” is sporting a medal around his neck in November for the Orioles.