Baltimore Orioles Move On From Delmon Young

Oct 3, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pinch hitter

(27) hits a three RBI double against the Detroit Tigers during the eighth inning of game two of the 2014 ALDS playoff baseball game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Delmon Young will always be remembered for his pinch-hit, three-run double of Joakim Soria in the 2014 ALDS which propelled the Orioles to a sweep of the Detroit Tigers.

The time had come, however.

On a roster full of outfielders, the Baltimore Orioles finally had to make a move. It may not be a popular one, but in my opinion, it is the right decision.

Delmon Young is a playoff hero, a pinch-hit hero.  He was brought back to be competition in the outfield for the Orioles. But, the competition has won out.

Travis Snider has been about as good as expected this year. If not a little better. Alejandro De Aza was significantly worse, and is in Boston.

But, what is the writing on the wall is the fact of how Nolan Reimold and Chris Parmelee have forced their way on the roster. While Young is a hacker, often going through a game seeing less than 8 pitches in four at-bats, Reimold and Parmelee both work the count.

Young leads the team, and is near the MLB lead in assists, but I think that deserves an asterisk. A lot of that is because of Young’s limited range and defensive play. Players try to stretch singles into doubles, and Young is able to throw them out.

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With Reimold, or Parmelee, or Snider, or Chris Davis in right field, players likely won’t be able to try to stretch those singles.

Dan Duquette now has 10 days to trade Delmon, and I do believe he will be able to work out a deal.

What is to come will be interesting. Jonathan Schoop is just waiting to come back. When he does, someone else is going to have to go, and again, it is likely going to be a position player.

Nolan Reimold is headed out on paternity leave on Sunday, so that buys the team a little time.

Here is a look at the players on the 25-man roster. Also, remember Kevin Gausman is going to pitch on Thursday, and a pitcher will likely need to be sent down for him.

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C – Matt Wieters, Caleb Joseph

IF – Chris Davis, Ryan Flaherty, J.J. Hardy, Manny Machado, Jimmy Paredes

OF – Travis Snider, Adam Jones, Chris Parmelee, Nolan Reimold, Steve Pearce, David Lough

SP – Chris Tillman, Ubaldo Jimenez, Miguel Gonzalez, Wei-Yin Chen, Bud Norris

RP – Zach Britton, Darren O’Day, Tommy Hunter, Brad Brach, Chaz Roe, Brian Matusz, Tyler Wilson

I think Lough is safe. I think Pearce could go, because he and Ryan Flaherty both can play many positions. Parmelee and Reimold both are often options.

I’m glad I don’t have to be Dan Duquette and make these decisions.

Who do you think will be the next position player to be optioned?