If Vlad is signed, I would expect the bench to be:
Pie, Tatum, Fox, Izturis
If Vlad is not signed, I would expect the bench to be:
Reimold, Tatum, Fox, Izturis
Does anyone see this different?
Does anyone believe the O’s could look at Fox as the sole backup to Wieters?
If so, who else becomes an option for the bench? Andino, Green, Harris?
Other thoughts:
1) At FanFest I saw some people asking if Bell could make the team. I do not see that as possible. I would think the O’s would want him playing everyday and working to improve his plate discipline.
2) Someone might ask if the O’s could carry both Pie and Reimold even if Guerrero was acquired. I’ve said previously that Reimold is probably my favorite positional player on the team, but it would be a stretch to say that Reimold represents a significant better option as a PH off the bench with pop vs. Fox. With Vlad, Pie has to have the inside track over Reimold as the 4th OF for two reasons. First, Pie is the better defensive OF, and can play CF. Secondly, Reimold has an option. The O’s as an organization (with Vlad) would be improved by Reimold playing everyday at AAA vs. rotting away on the bench as a 5th OF.
3) Since Izturis appears to be locked into his backup UTI MI position, I do not see a great argument for Green / Harris / or Andino over Fox. Though, if those three can also backup CF, and since each presumably run better than Fox; I guess an argument can be made.
4) I like the idea of keeping Fox as someone that can backup 3rd,1st, C. If the O’s decided just to keep Tatum, Andino could be kept as the backup at 3rd.
What we know is that either Pie or Reimold is a lock as a 4th OF.
We also know the Orioles will carry at-least one backup catcher, with Tatum most likely.
Again, I think we can also almost lock Izturis into this backup UTI MI position.
So really we are talking about 1 spot available.
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.