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Baltimore Orioles Designate Alejandro De Aza for Assignment

ByJoe Serpico|

There were some that follow the Baltimore Orioles who have been clamoring for a shakeup to the current team following some of the ugliest baseball during theBuck Showalterera and a dreadful 20-23 start.

You got your wish today.

The Orioles have reinstatedRyan Flahertyfrom the 15-day disabled list. That’s not the big news here. The shocker is that they have designatedAlejandro De Azafor assignment. The Orioles made the announcement official on Twitter just after 2 p.m. today.

The Orioles have reinstated INF Ryan Flaherty from the 15-day disabled list and have designated OF Alejandro De Aza for assignment.

— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles)May 27, 2015

It’s no surprise that the move made was in the outfield. Showalter has been searching for a consistent duo to pair withAdam Jones, but no one has stepped up to take over those roles. Evidently, Showalter is tired of shuffling his players and parting with De Aza eliminates some of the clutter of players in the corner outfield.

De Aza, 31, hasn’t done well in 2015 after having an impressive September for the ball club last season. He has a line of .214/.277/.359 with three homers and two stolen bases in 2015, after hitting .293/.341/.537 with three home runs in 20 games with the Orioles last season.

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De Aza was tendered arbitration over the winter, and went through the arbitration hearing against the Orioles, only to lose to the team. He still received a $5 million salary, a hefty price for the lack of production the team has received this season. That very deal will make it likely that a team will not be willing to claim him off waivers, rather waiting until he becomes a free agent.

The move adds pressure toDavid Lough,Delmon YoungandTravis Snider, hoping that one will take advantage of the situation and earn an everyday role.Steve Pearcewill see additional time in the outfield now that Flaherty will return to second base. Pearce filled in admirably at second base, butJimmy Paredeswas the Orioles second baseman when they could not use the DH in Miami this past weekend.

Say whatever you want about Flaherty, but he is more valuable to the Orioles than De Aza. Flaherty is batting .250/.372/.500 in a limited sample size, but his defense is his calling card. With a team that seems to have an error on a nightly basis, cleaning up the infield is a must. Flaherty is hands down a much better infielder than Pearce, Paredes andEverth Cabrera.

The corresponding move should be a wake up call to the entire team because the youngsters have proven that they are ready and waiting in the minors. RecallingSteve Clevengerin place ofRyan Lavarnwaywas the first move made by the ball club yesterday, and De Aza might just be the second of several moves in the upcoming weeks.Kevin Gausman,Matt WietersandJonathan Schoopare all on the mend and should be back in Baltimore shortly. The Orioles are going to have make some interesting decisions.

The team cannot be happy withBrian Matusz, and with the recent performances ofOliver Drake,Tyler WilsonandChaz Roe, the trade rumors might start circulating again. Only problem with that is Matusz hurt his trade value with the upcoming suspension, and that can’t make Dan Duquette happy.

De Aza and Lavarnway are likely the first of many moves that surprise us over the next few weeks. Hopefully, it lights a spark in this team and brings back the play that made the Baltimore Orioles the 2014 American League East Champions.

Next: Hits and Runs Hard To Come By For Orioles

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