What’s Left? – DH Edition

We discussed the best available (and admittedly unlikely) free agent starting pitching still on the board in our last What’s Left? post. Here’s we’ll take a look at what options for DH are out there. The Orioles look to start the season with Nolan Reimold serving as the primary designated hitter, with Henry Urrutia projected to make the squad as a left-handed DH option. Oh, and let’s not forget Who the Hell is Steve Pearce. To say that this is “suboptimal” would be putting an apologist spin on things. It’s nearly criminal negligence at this point. Why am I making such a big deal over the DH position? The answer is twofold:

1. I have little faith in the starters. 2014 will be ‘Tillman and Chen and pray for rain” until starters 3-5 (and probably 6-8) can prove otherwise. If the club is going to have a starting staff that doesn’t go deep enough to protect the bullpen, and lingers near the bottom in league ERA, then having an offense that can score A LOT of runs becomes a necessity for any team hoping to contend for a playoff berth.
2. Orioles fans should look for some serious regression  this year, even among dependable regulars. Look, I’d love to see another 50+ HR season from Chris Davis, but look for his power and run production to drop. There is no reason to think that’s a sustainable season. And if it weren’t for Chris Davis, we’d be talking about what an amazing season Adam Jones put together last year. His numbers predict less of a dramatic drop-off, but again, his 2013 contributions cannot be counted upon. On top of that, consider what Matt Wieters and Nick Markakis have become at the plate, and the question marks surrounding Peguero/Lough and Ryan Flaherty. Sure, some of these guys could bounce back. Others might finally put together great seasons. But to count on that without trying to add another dependable bat is poor strategy.
   

So that got long-winded (you have no idea how much editing Scott really does). Let’s talk about who’s out there for the taking:

 Kendrys Morales

What do we need from a DH? We need  lineup flexibility, we need a presence in the middle of the lineup to give Davis and Jones a chance to see better pitches, and we need (as with the whole lineup) to be down with the OPB. Kendrys Morales fits this category with the following stat line from 2013: .277/.336/.439/.785. Add his 23 home runs and 80 RBIs into the equation, and Morales looks like an attractive addition to the Bird’s offense. Morales is a switch hitter and possible backup at first base, which gives Showalter options.

Jake’s Take: Morales seems to fit too well, so it’s unlikely to happen. Morales turned down a qualifying offer ($14.1MM), so he will cost his next team their top draft pick. The O’s have said they’re more willing in the past to part with a pick, but will need to be really convinced by a guy to bring him in at that cost. It’s possible that the Orioles could put up the money to bring him in (consider the money not spent on Grant Balfour, Gavin Floyd, etc.), but doesn’t fit into Dan Duquette’s dumpster diving plans. 

Nelson Cruz

Nelson Cruz had some difficulties last year, missing 50 games for his involvement in the Biogenesis case. The PED violation puts his career numbers in question. Those numbers are there, though – in 109 games, Cruz put together a respectable stat line: .266/.327/.506/.833 with 27 HR and 76 RBI. Cruz could play left field in a pinch, but projects better as a DH, when considering the Orioles in-house outfielders, and Buck Showalter’s focus on strong defense.

Jake’s Take: Pass – too much baggage, even though the numbers are there. With the disaster that this offseason has been, another PED problem for Cruz would make for a huge PR disaster for the Orioles’ front office.

Retreads

Let’s face it: the Orioles are more likely to bring in a has been. We’ll cop out here, and say “the field.” I wouldn’t be surprised to see them take a flyer on an injury risk, a rebound candidate, or simply diminished performance at a discounted price. Insert your own name here… I’m just glad we can probably cross Mark Reynolds off the list.

Jake’s Take: This is where things are probably going to go. Why spend money on a solid addition, when you could throw bad money at the problem?

The Orioles need to address their pitching woes far more than they need to bring in another bat. However, if the team is “content” moving forward without improving the staff, adding a DH means “buying the bats.” Money seems to be the road block for any signing of merit. If they don’t do something, it’s difficult to see a path to the playoffs for the Orioles. They need a plan, hoping is not enough.