The Baltimore Orioles and Dan Duquette’s Failed Offseason

Jun 15, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles left fielder Travis Snider (23) doubles during the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles made a somewhat surprising move on Friday afternoon, designating Travis Snider for assignment and promoting newly acquiredJunior Lakefrom AAA Norfolk.

It is unfortunate it ended this way. Snider was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates forStephen TarpleyandSteven Brault, two minor league pitchers.

Snider was under team control for another year, but he never made it there. That means that both of the team’s starting corner outfielders are now gone.

But, what is more shocking is the number of offseason acquisitions that Dan Duquette made that are still with the major league team.

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

First, the players not re-signed…Nelson Cruzis enjoying a fantastic season in Seattle,Andrew Milleris one of the best closers in the game, andNick Markakisis hitting around .300, as he has for much of the year. An outfield of he and Cruz would look awfully good right now.

Jason Garciawas chosen in the Rule 5 draft, he is still in the majors, as discussedhere.Logan Verrettwas also chosen; he is back with the New York Mets.

Chaz Roewas signed on December 12, a move that made little noise at the time, but has turned out to be a very good move for the Orioles.

Wesley Wrightwas signed to be another left-handed reliever on December 19. He struggled a little, got injured and is now no longer with the team.

Ryan Lavarnwaywas signed off waivers; he was pretty bad with the Birds and is now the backup catcher in Atlanta.

More fromThe Baltimore Wire

• 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
• Maryland Football: Terps honor Jordan McNair, beat Longhorns 34-29

J.P. Arencibiawas also brought in for catching depth; he didn’t make it out of Spring Training with the club, and never played in an Orioles uniform.

On January 9, the team re-signedDelmon Young. Delmon is no longer with the team and is a free agent, after struggling a little bit and not having a spot on the team withJimmy Paredesas the semi-regular DH.

Chris Parmeleewas signed on January 26. He was in the majors for an extended period and looked great defensively, but couldn’t hit the ball. He is gone.

Nolan Reimoldwas re-signed to start February. Reimold is in the majors, but not exactly hitting the cover off the ball.

February 25, the team signedEverth Cabrera, which ended up being a good move withJ.J. Hardynot healthy to start the year. But he struggled at the plate as well, and he is now in San Francisco’s farm system.

As you can see, it wasn’t a very good offseason. In losing two corner outfielders, the O’s tried several pieces to replace them, and it didn’t work.

The only players signed in the offseason currently on the 25-man roster are Roe, Garcia and Reimold.

It is a testament to the ability of the rest of the O’s that this team is still in playoff contention despite all these swings and misses. However, it also hopefully shows why re-signingChris Davisis a very important task for Dan Duquette.

Next: Who wins with Jason Garcia in Baltimore?

Add us as a preferred source onGoogle

Follow