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I sat down early Wednesday morning to write a post evaluating the likely Opening Day lineup for the Baltimore Orioles. Dexter Fowler would have been penciled in atop the lineup, playing right field.
Thank God for technical difficulties.
My computer kept freezing, which saved me from writing a lengthy post evaluating how impactful Fowler would have been hitting leadoff for the Orioles and providing rangy defense in right field. Now, I am thankfully exempt from Casey Close’s shade.
Dexter Fowler spurned the Orioles, electing to take a short-term deal with the Chicago Cubs (for less money than his initial qualifying offer). The search for an everyday right fielder is back on again in Baltimore. There are still options, both internal and on the market or trade block. Before April 4 rolls around, the Orioles need to find an everyday starter for right field, something that eluded them last year in the first year of the post-Nick Markakis era.
As the Orioles are left to pick up the pieces of their right-field situation, here are their options.
David Murphy has been so clutch over the years. I can’t believe he is still on the market. Here’s hoping the O’s get him.
I like him for what he brings to the offense, but his DWAR was atrocious last year. Way worse than Trumbo’s DWAR. Would rather roll with in house options than Murphy. And if that’s untenable, bring in Alvarez and hope the Os outscore other teams 8-7 every night.
You left the Davis/Trumbo tandem out of the mix. Davis is not terrible in the outfield and could cover some out there with Trumbo covering 1st base. I have no problem with one of the OF corners being a platoon position. The O’s have had that work just fine in the past.
I could see Davis getting a few starts out in right field. He showed good athleticism out there last year, but his instincts didn’t look great. At the end of the day, the Orioles are paying Davis $161 million to play first base. Much less risk of an injury or serious wear and tear.