Most Orioles fans are well aware their farm system and young major league talent is overwhelmingly composed of position players, and it’s very likely executive vice president and GM Mike Elias and manager Brandon Hyde will want to see what they have in the young bucks.
However, the rebuild is over, and this team also has an obligation to win now. No championship team will ever have a shortage of veteran position players capable of playing multiple positions.
With that being said, here are five free agent position players that the O’s could target this offseason, if they choose to take that route.
KOLTEN WONG – INF
Wong’s numbers don’t jump off the page, but in his 11 years of service time, the Hawaii native has played for seven playoff teams. His 2023 was a career-worst season, as he compiled a measly .183/.256/.263 slash line, a couple ticks below his career .719 OPS.
However, contending teams aren’t looking at Wong for his bat. The 33-year-old second baseman plays elite defense, winning two Gold Gloves in his career and probably worthy of a few more. Wong also brings plus speed to the table while offering roster flexibility for the O’s, who love to play matchups.
Wong certainly does not move the needle for this Orioles team, but for pocket change, he can bring a winning mentality to the table, paired with very reliable defense on Jordan Westburg’s off days.
AMED ROSARIO – INF
Rosario brings a much more intriguing bat to the table but at times can be a defensive liability. Despite that, Rosario would be a beneficial addition to the Orioles’ clubhouse.
The native of Santo Domingo Centro, Dominican Republic, has played 140 or more games in five of his seven big league seasons, with one of those being the 2020 shortened campaign. His .263/.305/.378 slash line isn’t eye-popping, but against lefties in his career, that jumps to .298/.339/.467, good for an .806 OPS.
Rosario, 28, is also capable of playing both shortstop and second base, and for another player who would cost pennies on the dollar, Rosario could serve as the perfect chess piece for Brandon Hyde in late game big spots.
JURICKSON PROFAR – UTL
Profar is another name that doesn’t warrant much attention, but that doesn’t mean Baltimore shouldn’t take a look at him. The 30-year-old from Willemstad, Curacao, hits from both sides of the plate, which is always valuable in late game situations if he is brought in to pinch hit.
Profar has played second base, shortstop, and left field in his career, which would make life a little easier for Brandon Hyde. In 2023, he slashed .242/.321/.368, which are respectable numbers for a utility player who won’t be playing everyday.
Profar is another player who would come at a very cheap price and would give the O’s a league average bat with plus defense at a multitude of positions.
AARON HICKS – OF
One of the best stories in baseball last year was Aaron Hicks’ resurgence after being DFA’d by the New York Yankees and signed by the Orioles to help fill-in for the injured Cedric Mullins.
In his time with the O’s in 2023, Hicks was awesome, posting a .275/.381/.425 slash line, a huge improvement from his .524 OPS in the Bronx. Hicksy can also play respectable defense at any position in the outfield, propelled by one of the league’s strongest arms.
Hicks can hit from both sides, walks at a high rate and fits Camden Yards’ dimensions well. On a cheap contract (the Yankees will cover essentially all of it), it would be very wise of the O’s front office to bring Hicks back and see if he can build on his bounce-back campaign in the Charm City.
ADAM FRAZIER – UTL
Frazier has become quite the polarizing player in Baltimore, but it’s hard to deny that he wasn’t a plus player for the O’s in 2023.
Frazier hit a career-high 13 home runs with the Orioles to go along with his .240/.300/.396 slash line. He strikes out at one of the lowest rates in the league, which situationally also is valuable. It’s also worth noting that in 2023, Frazier’s slash line with RISP was .294/.383/.549, good for a .932 OPS.
Frazier is the perfect utility bench bat with upside in matchups against right-handed pitchers, and keeping a key contributor to a 101-win team is never a bad idea. Don’t be surprised if it happens.
Which free agent position player are you hoping the O’s go after? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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