Baltimore Orioles: A Yoenis Cespedes Lineup

Jun 9, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) hits a single in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

A unique feature of this current offseason for Baltimore Orioles fans has been the prominent mention of the team in free agent rumors and discussions.

This is the result of having six former players who became free agents, a variety of vacancies to fill, and the rejected offer of $150 million that is still presumed to be available to be spent.

The Orioles are therefore featured in rumors like never before, most recently regarding outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. What other year would the Birds be mentioned in conversations regarding the first handful of available free agents?

This Cespedes report emerged yesterday from MLB.com writer Jesse Sanchez, listing the O’s and White Sox as the favorites …

So what do we make of this? Who really knows? Speculation could range from believing it is fully genuine to doubting it as nothing more than posturing for the sake of Chris Davis and Scott Boras.

Without doubt, Cespedes can mash a baseball (in 2015: 35 homers, 105 RBIs and .291 average). But he is right-handed and a left fielder, whereas the greater need would appear to be a left-handed bat for right field … in the wake of signing Hyeon-soo Kim. However, with both starting pitchers and hitters, the Baltimore Orioles seem less match-up oriented in their concerns this offseason than one would expect based upon Showalter observations over the years. Indeed, too much is often made of this; I would rather go with individual match-up stats (as Buck does so often in his detailed preparation).

Having said that, look at this: THIS IS HUGE — Cespedes in 2015 hit .310 off right-handers and only .223 versus lefties!!  For his career it is more even at .278 / .252 … but with numbers like that, who needs a left-handed bat!  I’m sold. Sign the guy now.

Cespedes could easily be a 40+ homer guy at Camden Yards. He and Kim could alternate in left field and DH. This might be good for Kim as he adjusts to the big leagues and American baseball. What might an order look like with these Cespedes added to it? Let’s go with this …

Kim (LF/DH), Reimold (RF). Machado (3B), Jones (CF), Cespedes (LF/DH), Trumbo (1B), Schoop (2B), Wieters (C), Hardy (SS)

That is a sweet lineup. I am sure that some readers are not as enthused about Nolan Reimold near the top of the order, or even in it at all. But I like his OBP to double along with Kim at the top, setting the table for all the power to follow. If you hate it … OK … drop him to the eighth spot and more everyone else up one position, and it is still a strong order.

Thinking through this lineup, it is reasonable to project 190-195 home runs from this group alone.

Paul Janish Signing

The Orioles also signed Janish to a minor league contract with invite to spring training. I am extremely pleased to see this. As is well-known to regulars here, I’m a Flaherty skeptic, while recognizing his value as a utility player everywhere.

But the Janish acquisition likely speaks to the concern that the organization has with Hardy’s aches and pains and nagging this and thats. That is a very reasonable concern. Perhaps even Janish is speculating upon the same as a best-option possibility to be playing in the majors again.

In any event, it is good to have him in the organization again.

Aroldis Chapman Impact

I think this is a terrific signing for the Yankees (especially if he is not going to be serving a long suspension). It is a nasty bullpen, perhaps the best ever. I thought this, and then I read where Jerry Crasnick said it …

For my money, Dellin Betances is the best pitcher in the game. And we know how good Andrew Miller is.

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Long before the Kansas City Royals demonstrated the value of a shutdown pen, I have promoted the strategy of investing in a stable of low ERA, low WHIP relievers. Though not a huge believer in crowning one designated closer (why not have two or three capable people to do this on various nights?), having a bullpen that is better than the other team essentially shortens the game and gives you relatively more productive at-bats for scoring. It has to translate into wins.

This allows a team to be a bit more unsettled with starting arms (just look at the ranking of the starters on the World Series champions) and offensive production. With many aging players and an uncertain rotation, this was a great move for the Yankees.

Next: Could Chris Davis have to settle for a one-year contract?

There has never been a future in waiting around for the Yankees to get old and fall apart. We expect it every year, and it just never happens. They simply need to be beaten day to day, hopefully by the Orioles in particular.