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Baltimore Orioles: Does Trumbo’s return put O’s atop AL East DH rankings?

By Nate Wardle

Feb 27, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles infielder Mark Trumbo (45) bats in the second inning of the spring training game against New York Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles infielder Mark Trumbo (45) bats in the second inning of the spring training game against New York Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2017; Clearwater, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Kendrys Morales (8) breaks his bat while he makes contact with the baseball during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Clearwater, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Kendrys Morales (8) breaks his bat while he makes contact with the baseball during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays’ DHs – Kendrys Morales, Jose Bautista (RF), Steve Pearce, Justin Smoak (1B)

Kendrys Morales will make his debut in the AL East in 2017, trying to fill the big shoes at DH left by Edwin Encarnacion‘s departure.

Morales spent the last two years in Kansas City, where he did quite well. Over the two years, he averaged .277/.344/.476. In 2016, he hit .263/.327/.468 with 30 HRs, 24 2Bs, 93 RBIs, 65 runs. Morales has next to no speed and no range, so he can’t play the field anymore.

He had a 1.0 oWAR in 2016, his lowest in a full season. Of course, Morales has only played in five full seasons in 12 years, and most of them had come when he was a primary DH.

Other DH options will include the also defensively limited Jose Bautista, Steve Pearce, and Justin Smoak. Smoak and Bautista will both be starting at other positions for the Jays in 2017. My guess is they miss Edwin Encarnacion.

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