Baltimore Orioles: The Recycling Of Baseball Players

Sep 23, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis (21), Steve Lombardozzi (12) and center fielder Adam Jones (10) celebrate their win against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The Orioles defeated the Yankees 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

What an offseason for the Baltimore Orioles!

Steve Lombardozzi traded to the Pirates. Michael Ohlman traded to the Cardinals. Nolan Reimold signed to a minor league contract. J.P. Arencibia signed to a minor league contract. Steve Johnson signed to a minor league contract. Mark Hendrickson signed to a minor league contract.

……..Whew…………..did you get all that?

Recycling is a good thing … right?

Every sport seems to recycle players. But since baseball players can have careers lasting into their 40s, it just seems to happen more often. Hendrickson, in fact, will turn 41 during this upcoming season. And he is now a grandfather.

With Nolan Reimold, he was originally a second-round pick of the Birds in 2005. Then, after the injury and health problems of 2012, the O’s brought him back in 2013 for $1 million. Lots of speculation was that he would not return in 2014, but the Orioles signed him for $1.025 million. He did not make the team and was lost to the Blue Jays, and later the Diamondbacks. Now he is back again. This could be seen as this fourth go-round with the O’s.

In the case of Hendrickson, he pitched for 10 years in the big leagues for five franchises: Jays, Rays, Dodgers, Marlins, and finally the Orioles – last appearing in 2011. He has appeared in more games in his career with the O’s than with any of the other four. But here is grandpa back with another shot at the Orioles, sporting a new side-arm delivery (from a guy who was originally a basketball player). This is the fifth time that he has signed his name to a free agent deal with the Orioles.

In football, players do move around, just not as frequently. Danny Gorrer will probably float around for a few teams. And we have already seen the impact that a relatively old Steve Smith can make for a new team.