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Baltimore Orioles: 5 Biggest Storylines of Offseason

By Joe Serpico

Mar 4, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Mark Trumbo (45) bats during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Mark Trumbo (45) bats during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 1, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Hyun Soo Kim (25) in the dugout during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Hyun Soo Kim (25) in the dugout during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Hyun Soo Kim Situation

This is the cherry on top for the disaster as the team has tried to find an everyday left fielder. The O’s have made it clear that Hyun Soo Kim will not be on the team’s 25-man Opening Day roster, and while it is the right move, it’s just another reminder of how much of a loss it was to not land Fowler.

When Fowler chose the Cubs over Baltimore, it was expected that Kim would take the lead off spot and left field position. He was known for having a high on-base percentage in South Korea and could play solid defensively. Instead, it looks like he might not make the team at all.

Kim has struggled in spring training and has not played with the Big League team for almost a week. Rule 5 draft pick Joey Rickard looks to have run away with the job, and the Orioles are hopeful that he accepts a trip to the minors to start the season. Otherwise, he could end up back in South Korea and the team ruins their ties with future players in the Korean Baseball League.

Baltimore Sun reporter Eduardo Encina better explains the implications surrounding Kim. Yes, he has not produced on the field like expected, but transitioning to life in the United States and trying to make a Major League team cannot be easy. As Encina explained, Jung Ho Kang struggled in spring training for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting. Kim deserves more credit than he has received in just 16 spring training games.

There is little room for him on the Orioles or Triple-A roster at this time, but he needs more seasoning before the team gives up on one of the best players from the KBO. If Kim does decide to go back to Korea, it’s another failed attempt to secure a permanent player to play in left field.

UPDATE: The Orioles have just released pitcher Miguel Gonzalez. This article was published just minutes before the news broke, or otherwise would have been a part of this story. We will have more information as it is released.

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