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Baltimore Orioles and Adam Jones’ comments on the outfield

By Nate Wardle

Sep 14, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pinch runner Quintin Berry (34) is congratulated by J.J. Hardy (2) after scoring in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Yankees 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pinch runner Quintin Berry (34) is congratulated by J.J. Hardy (2) after scoring in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Yankees 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Orioles held the widely popular annual FanFest on Saturday, and there were a few interesting nuggets that came out of it including a comment by Adam Jones.

Baltimore Orioles‘ outfielder Adam Jones‘ voiced his criticism of the outfield, and the need to improve it Saturday at the Orioles annual FanFest.

Adam has always been a vocal player for the Baltimore Orioles, and to read his comments, the Baltimore Sun chronicles them well.

He’s not wrong. Sure, Seth Smith will be an upgrade over Mark Trumbo, but not substantially. Joey Rickard could be an upgrade over both, although the sabermetrics are not fans of Rickard.

Back on December 20, I chronicled the available outfielders.

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Not many of them are left, and the ones who are good outfielders, guys like Rajai Davis, Austin Jackson, Peter Bourjos are all gone as well.

So, what options could be considered upgrades?

Angel Pagan? Michael Bourn? Maybe and Yes. Both are getting up there in years, but Bourn would be an upgrade in speed and athleticism. However, he does not have a strong arm.

Pagan has not rated very well for the last six years. So, not looking much better there.

As for some wider reaching options. There is the Rule 5 pick, Aneury Tavarez, who is an athletic upgrade. As are guys like Julio Borbon Jr. and Quintin Berry.

Tavarez may not be ready for the major leagues, and Berry never made it to the majors in 2016, spending the year in the minor leagues for the Toronto Blue Jays. He is a former Oriole, a former major league outfielder, and one of Jones’ best friends. He also has not hit well at the major league level.

Borbon has been with the Baltimore Orioles for the last two years, playing mainly in the minor leagues. He did make it to Baltimore for six games in 2016, hitting .308. In his career, Borbon has a decent average in around 800 plate appearances at .273 but is very much a singles hitter with no power. He also does not draw a lot of walks, as evident by his .318 OBP to go with that average.

So, what can be done at this point? Not much in my opinion. I fully expect Borbon to sign a minor league deal, as he is the main insurance for Jones. I also expect Bourn to be an Oriole.

However, does this really help? Is Bourn going to start in the outfield over Smith or Rickard?

Maybe. Remember, he did start in the field last year down the stretch, with Mark Trumbo moved to DH and the hot-hitting Pedro Alvarez relegated to pinch hitting. So, it is possible.

Adding Bourn would likely push Rickard to the minor leagues in 2017, as he can be optioned.

But, as for significant changes to placate Jones? They aren’t going to come at this point in the offseason. Come to think of it, not only was getting better defensively in the outfield Jones’ goal but Dan Duquette’s as well.

Next: Manny Machado not focused on a long-term deal right now

It looks like Duquette may need to look to trade to satisfy one of his offseason goals and the cornerstone of his team.

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