The Baltimore Orioles are in the hunt for a left-handed bat, and have set their sights on a few potential targets according to reports. The latest chatter has the O's discussing a deal with free agent outfielder Colby Rasmus, who spent all or part of the last four seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Orioles having ongoing dialogue with Colby Rasmus, among other left-handed-hitting outfield options, sources say.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 29, 2014
Rasmus had a down year in 2014, slashing just .225/.287/.448 with 18 home runs and 40 RBI in 104 games. His batting average was down 51 points from the previous season, some of which can be blamed on bad luck. His BABIP was .294 last season, down from a far more fortunate .356 in 2013.
That BABIP dip severely affected Rasmus' entire line; while his walk rate dropped a bit, he's never been a high on-base percentage player. Once the BABIP fell his production fell with it. Rasmus did slug more than 20 home runs in each of the previous two seasons, however, so that pop is desirable for an Orioles club that just lost the AL home run leader (Nelson Cruz) via free agency.
Morosi's tweet hinted at other options as well, with the leading candidates being Seth Smith and Will Venable in San Diego. Those two are out of starting roles after new general manager A.J. Preller revamped the outfield with stars; unless there's truth to the rumors of Wil Myers moving again, the Padres have a glut.
Smith hit .266 with 12 home runs last year, with all 12 of those bombs coming against right-handed pitching. Venable was brutal in 2014, hitting .224 with just eight home runs after a breakout campaign in the previous season.
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