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AL East Rankings: Does Wieters departure hurt the Baltimore Orioles?

By Nate Wardle

Sep 23, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy (2) is tagged out by Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Wellington Castillo (7) in the ninth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy (2) is tagged out by Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Wellington Castillo (7) in the ninth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 16, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin (55) and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (10) catch int he bullpen at Cecil P. Englebert Recreation Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin (55) and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (10) catch int he bullpen at Cecil P. Englebert Recreation Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Toronto Blue Jays

Blue Jays’ Catchers: Russell Martin, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Juan Graterol, Michael Ohlman

Last year, I wondered if age had caught up to Martin. He hit .231/.335/.398 with 20 HRs, 16 2Bs, 74 RBIs and 62 runs for Toronto. Those numbers are well below his career average of .254/.350/.404.

Also, Martin only threw out 15 percent of base stealers, an abysmal number. His WAR numbers, both offensive and defensive remain on the positive side, which is not surprising for someone of his caliber. His range numbers also were on the downside in 2016, so it will be interesting to see if he continues to slide in 2017.

Saltalamacchia had an abysmal year last year for the Detroit Tigers, hitting .171/.284/.346, compared to career numbers of .234/.309/.413. Never a strong offensive hitter, Saltalamacchia added 12 HRs, five 2Bs, 38 RBIs and 30 runs in 2016 in 292 plate appearances. ‘Salty’ has never rated great defensively, and in 2016 rated 12 runs below average.

Graterol played in nine games and had 15 plate appearances for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, before being claimed off waivers in January by the Jays.

It also is possible that the Blue Jays could try to acquire someone from the Nationals surplus of pitching before Opening Day, although they likely would not supplant Martin.

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