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Baltimore Orioles and the Allure of Mark Trumbo

By Nate Wardle

Oct 1, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Mark Trumbo (45) and first baseman Chris Davis (19) score during the second inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Mark Trumbo (45) and first baseman Chris Davis (19) score during the second inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baltimore Orioles outfielder Mark Trumbo led the major leagues in home runs in 2016, and the now free agent is an interesting player on the free agent market.

The market for former Baltimore Orioles outfielder Mark Trumbo is complicated. Is he a guy who can only play DH? Is he a serviceable first baseman? Will a team throw caution to the wind and place him in right field?

No one really knows, and that is why the Trumbo market is kind of quiet. But, according to reports, it still appears the Baltimore Orioles are leading it.

It has been confirmed, as written, that the Orioles offered Trumbo a four-year deal, something they look willing to do for the 30-year-old slugger. The offer reportedly was for around something in the low to mid $50 million range, about $13-14 million dollars a year.

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However, Trumbo and his agent are looking for something closer to $70-80 million total, between $18-20 million a year.

That is a pretty big range.

But, it looks like talks are being renewed. Buster Olney from ESPN reports that the Orioles and Trumbo are renewing talks Tuesday, and there is mutual interest.

This makes sense. Trumbo loved playing in Baltimore, and it serves his power well. The Orioles loved having his bat in the order, and for all intents and purposes, he was a really great clubhouse guy too.

The only other team that has really been linked to Trumbo so far is the Colorado Rockies, and that interest appears to be lukewarm, although the power appeal at Coors Field would be undeniable.

Personally, I am okay with trying to bring back Trumbo at DH. He doesn’t solve the outfield defense issues. But, I am also fine with putting Joey Rickard there if Trumbo’s bat is in the lineup.

You could always put Trumbo at first base and move Chris Davis to right field, but that takes a really strong first baseman defensively, replaces him with an average one, and Davis is probably an average-at-best outfielder.

By putting Trumbo at DH, it would prevent Trey Mancini from having a spot on the team, and it has been widely reported by Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com, and others that Mancini will likely be on the roster.

However, if the Orioles do not get Trumbo, I would like to see them focus more on a contact hitter for RF, and then sign Pedro Alvarez or someone else late in free agency to platoon with Mancini. I don’t want Chris Carter, or a .237 hitting Curtis Granderson. Give me someone who can get on base ahead of Adam Jones, Manny Machado and Chris Davis.

That player is not Dexter Fowler, as reported by Roch. Maybe it is Billy Hamilton, or Ben Revere.

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