The Seattle Mariners have acquired protection in the lineup for second baseman Robinson Cano by signing free agent outfielder Nelson Cruz to a four-year, $57 million deal. So what's next for the Orioles?
Cruz was a major reason the Orioles were able to reach the ALCS this past season, smacking an MLB-best 40 home runs and driving in 108 runs in 159 games, tying a career high. He also helped cover the sharp decline of Chris Davis, the 2013 home run king.
With Cruz gone to Seattle, rumors of the O's trading for Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp are heating up. Kemp, 30, hit .287 last season with 25 home runs and 89 RBI in 150 games. He also struggled badly in the outfield, necessitating his movement to the corner outfield spots. Per Fangraphs.com, Kemp cost the Dodgers 26.5 runs in the field in 2014.
Despite the defensive woes, Kemp is still expected to cost any trade partner a hefty price in prospects. The Orioles have two major pitching prospects, Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy, to offer in exchange for Kemp, but previous comments made by Baltimore executive vice president Dan Duquette made it seem unlikely they'd be moved.
The Orioles had pursued then-Red Sox ace Jon Lester near the trade deadline but wouldn't cough up their best young arms to do so. "We'd be interested in adding pitchers that could help us at the top of our rotation," said Duquette in late July. "Who wouldn't be?"
After saying that, he indicated that his best prospects were basically off limits. "I think with our young pitchers we would be conservative, and we would try and give them a prolonged trial in the big leagues before we would trade them."
That stance may have changed with Cruz and his 40 home runs gone, but they could increase their offer to Nick Markakis so he can re-sign, or target a free agent such as Melky Cabrera, who is very familiar with the AL East.
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