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Mark Trumbo, DH/RF
Steamer Projections: .252/.307/.455, 23 HR, 74 RBI
Hopefully, Trumbo’s position is heavily DH rather than a mixture of DH and right field. Acquired for almost nothing, the 30-year-old has the potential to be the 2016 version of Nelson Cruz. Trumbo is definitely a boom-or-bust hitter, but in Camden Yards, has the potential to hit 30-35 home runs. He already has two 30-homer seasons to his name, and did hit 22 overall last season despite playing 96 games for the Seattle Mariners. If the Orioles get something along the lines of .260/.315/.450 from Trumbo down in the bottom-third of the order, the offense should be well on its way to scoring more than the projected 697 runs of PECOTA. It’s not a stretch to envision Trumbo hitting 10 more home runs than Steamer projects him for.
Over the past four years, the Orioles have never stuck with one, consistent DH, typically using the slot in the lineup for a platoon. Trumbo should change that in 2016. There’s still an outside shot the Orioles sign Pedro Alvarez to form a platoon with Trumbo, but there are more pressing needs.
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