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A Baltimore Orioles reunion with Matt Wieters doesn’t make sense

By Nate Wardle

Oct 2, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters (32) runs the bases after hitting a two-run homer in the top of the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters (32) runs the bases after hitting a two-run homer in the top of the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Orioles are looking for a few more upgrades to their roster before Spring Training starts, but signing Matt Wieters should not be one of them.

No, the Baltimore Orioles are not done signing players before heading to Spring Training. There are positions where upgrades make sense, but catcher should not be one of them.

Look, there is no need to launch into the numbers of Caleb Joseph, Welington Castillo and Wieters, the fact of the matter is that it just doesn’t make sense.

Castillo was signed to be the starting catcher for the Orioles. There is no reason for him to be making $6 million and platoon, or be on the bench.

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You have to imagine that Wieters, despite not having a team, is looking for at least $5 million still. The Orioles have no room at the DH position to put whoever of Wieters and Castillo is not starting that day.

Mark Trumbo is expected to make most of the starts at DH. Now, the team could consider moving Trumbo to RF, but that really hurts your outfield.

First, it would mean that Seth Smith and Hyun Soo Kim are probably platooning in left field. Except they both are strong hitters against the same side, right-handers. As is Trumbo, who was not signed to platoon. It also would mean that the defense is even weaker than it already is.

Look, I understand how beloved Wieters is by the Oriole players. He was a strong clubhouse leader, leading by example. However, if that mattered to the Orioles’ front office, then he would have been re-signed instead of signing Castillo.

The Orioles are pushing to be a better team, and to contend for a World Series. Adding Wieters makes them even more like they were in 2016, a team that was not good enough.

Yes, the Orioles need to make a few more moves. Sign an outfielder, such as Michael Bourn, Jeff Francoeur or even Angel Pagan.

Sign a pitcher as well, someone who can compete for the 5th spot. No, I don’t think that is Doug Fister or Jason Hammel at this point, but it depends how long those guys become free agents.

Matt Wieters did some good things as an Oriole. But, that doesn’t mean he needs to be an Oriole in 2017. This team has got to focus on becoming championship-caliber, and not sticking with the status quo.

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I’ll root for Matt Wieters as long as he isn’t in the AL East. Hopefully that includes not being on the Orioles.

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