Baltimore Orioles: How to replace Manny Machado?

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Sep 14, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles mascot stands on the dugout during the seventh inning stretch of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Boston Red Sox 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Aderlin Rodriguez

Aderlin Rodriguez is gaining minor league attention after going 5-5 in the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday, with two home runs, nine RBIs, and two runs scored. But, he has consistently put together an excellent season with a .305/.372/.500 line with 11 home runs, ten doubles, 40 RBIs and 26 runs.

So, he has more power than anyone else who is an option outside of Chris Johnson. Rodriguez has been in the minor leagues for eight years now but is only 25 years old. Rodriguez also had a successful year in high-A Frederick in 2016, batting .304 with 26 home runs and 23 doubles. However, he was somewhat uninspiring in the minor leagues before 2016. So, maybe he is just a late bloomer. Regardless, he probably is not ready, but he does play third base and offers something offensively the other options don’t.

Garabez Rosa

I mentioned Garabez Rosa when I talked about shortstop options should the Orioles move or bench J.J. Hardy, and he can play third base too. The utility infielder has been in the Orioles system for ten years now and is an easy guy to root for. He plays almost any position and just seems to hit. Rosa is the player who goes on all the road trips in spring training and hits the ball, no matter who he is facing. He is hitting .338/.358/.472 for the Baysox with six home runs, 13 doubles, 42 RBIs and 35 runs scored.

In my unsolicited opinion, I think the Orioles have two options here as far as who to call up. One is to go with one of their remaining utility players at AAA. Sardinas is easiest because he is on the 40-man roster, and I don’t think there are any openings on the 40-man. Giavotella is the best and playing the best, but he hasn’t played third base in the major leagues, and may not have the arm to play the position in the major leagues. Janish is no longer on the 40-man, but I would rather it be him than Sardinas.

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The other option is to show the minor leaguers in the system that they will be rewarded for their hard work. If this is the case, I will promote Dosch to the major leagues. He is not a career minor leaguer, but someone who has worked his way to a position where he is knocking on the door. He has hit well at AAA Norfolk this year.

Another thing to consider is who is going to start? Is the player the Orioles promote going to start, or will Ruben Tejada start? If Tejada is going to start, then call up Sardinas, as that is the easiest move to make the 40-man roster makeup, etc. However, if the person called up is going to start, I would promote Dosch.

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