The Baltimore Wire
Fansided

Baltimore Orioles: 3 predictions leading up to Opening Day

By Christopher Church

Sep 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Mark Trumbo (45) is greeted by pinch hitter Pedro Alvarez (24) after hitting a solo home run against Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles right fielder Mark Trumbo (45) is greeted by pinch hitter Pedro Alvarez (24) after hitting a solo home run against Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Baltimore Orioles Rumors: Angel Pagan
Sep 9, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants outfielder Angel Pagan (16) hits a solo home run in the seventh inning of the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Baltimore Orioles sign Angel Pagan

One of, if not, the Orioles biggest weakness last season was their inability to hit against left-handed pitching. The Orioles’ hit just .234, 29th in the MLB, against southpaws in 2016. Only the Los Angeles Dodgers hit worse than the Orioles last season, hitting a league-worst .216 against lefties.

Although the Orioles recently sent starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for the left-handed batter, Seth Smith, manager Buck Showalter stated earlier this week that he would like to bring on an additional left-handed bat according to The Baltimore Sun’s Eduardo A. Encina.

With that being said, free-agent outfielder and switch-hitter Angel Pagan fits the bill. Interest between the Orioles and Pagan was first reported by Baltimorebaseball.com’s Dan Connolly in late November and has continued throughout the offseason.

Next: Do O's have room for another starter?

Pagan, 35, would be a cost-effective acquisition that would benefit the team offensively and defensively. It’s highly doubtful the Orioles would offer Pagan more than a one-year deal. With the exception of slugger Chris Davis, Duquette has never been the one to throw big bucks at players.

Home/Baltimore Orioles