Baltimore Orioles: Evaluating the Mark Trumbo Deal

Apr 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Mark Trumbo against the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks defeated the Rockies 12-5. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Is the Baltimore Orioles deal with the Mariners that sends Steve Clevenger to Seattle for Mark Trumbo a good one?

The value of all trades and deals plays out over time, but what can be said at the front door to evaluate this transaction? Like the Facebook status … it’s complicated.

The other immediate question involves what impact this has upon a return of Chris Davis. Trumbo is a 1B/OF/DH right-handed batter, so he provides insurance at a minimum, reportedly at an expected amount of about $9 million. Signing Davis would pretty much preclude getting any truly significant help for the rotation. In fact, it would most likely mean that all other acquisitions would be low-level signings.

For fans who keep asking, acquiring Trumbo doesn't close door on #orioles re-signing Davis. Can serve in DH role. Provides insurance at 1B
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) December 2, 2015

Trumbo would give #Orioles legit power-hitting insurance if Davis doesn't return, but team still sees re-signing CD as one of top goals.
— Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) December 2, 2015

Adding Trumbo to a roster with a return of Davis would certainly be one that is full of long ball expectations, but also a massive amount of strikeouts.

And it is sad to see local product Steve Clevenger moved out again, just at a point where it looked like he was ready to seriously contribute.

This first substantial move of the offseason does reveal the conundrum facing the Baltimore Orioles. There are too many holes to fill. It is like the baseball version of whack-a-mole. They can either sign Davis and one or two moderately-priced free agents; or they can pass on Davis and sign four or five moderately-priced players. But in either case, more than a couple of cheaper role players will need to come through for the O’s to enjoy a high level of success.

What it comes down to ultimately is how much money the Orioles are willing to spend to fill the various other holes. Skepticism abounds on this topic.

But there is no doubt that Trumbo can hit some long balls, and one would expect that a move to playing half of his games in Baltimore rather than Seattle, Arizona or Anaheim would benefit his skills.

Turning age 30 next month, Trumbo finished second in 2011 for AL Rookie of the Year, hitting 29 home runs. Since then he has hit 32, 34, 14 (in 88 games) and 22. Trumbo has a career average/OBP of .250/.300 (Crush is a career .255/.330).