O’s Acquire Steve Lombardozzi

The Orioles’ late season roster overhaul continues, as a deal was announced this morning that sent INF Alex Gonzalez to the Detroit Tigers. Details of the return were not immediately available, which led me to believe that the 37-year old infielder would net the infamous player to be named later, or international signing money, or a bag of balls.

Then the team announced that the completed deal brought INF Steve Lombardozzi to Baltimore.

Yes, that’s a name you’ve heard before. Lombardozzi played for three seasons for the Washington Nationals, before being packaged to Detroit in exchange for Doug Fister. It seems that Dan Duqette has pulled another rabbit out of his hat and brought a 25-year old, flexible (and optionable) player to the organization in exchange for an older veteran who had little chance of making the roster.

We must reasonably assume that Lombardozzi makes the 25 man roster, but his role is unclear at this time. He has experience as a major league starter at second base, and could fill that role while Flaherty holds down third (during Manny Machado’s DL stint). It’s also possible that he fills that “super utility” role that Buck Showalter values so much. Lombardozzi also has experience in the outfield, and can move around the infield.

Whatever the case, the Orioles are better today than they were yesterday. Duquette seems to be stockpiling middle infielders, but the 2014 stable includes some pretty appealing names (Schoop, Flaherty, and now Lombardozzi). We beat up on Duquette for lacking a plan. Some of us said he got lucky by having Nelson Cruz fall into his lap at such a price. Well, we can certainly say this about the Orioles’ Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations: when opportunities present themselves, he’s pretty good at making something happen.

I think, at this point, I’m obligated to point out that he hails from Fulton, Maryland. And also that to make room for him on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated catcher Johnny Monell for assignment, virtually assuring Maryland native Steve Clevenger a spot on the team.

Here’s hoping that Steve Lombardozzi will make the team, and make them better.

Oh, and remember, Opening Day is only a week away.