The Orioles announced today that they had signed 37year-old Chris Gomez to a minor league, non-guaranteed contract.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-orioles109,0,556566.story
This is the type of move that will be deemed by nearly all as of non-consequence, but greatly bothers me.
Some of you are thinking, how could this deal bother you?
To that, I say do not be fooled by the contract, it is a likely mere formality.
My irritation is not about Chris Gomez… I actually greatly respected his previous time with the Orioles… he is solid defensive SS, that plays the game the right way, and was able to produce off the bench, even after large periods of inactivity…. That is a skill.
My irritation is how the O’s build their roster year after year.
Before the signing, you would have figured their 4 man bench to be comprised of Freel, Montanez, Salazar, and a backup catcher.
After the signing, you can rest assured that either Montanez, or Salazar will not make the team.
I guess that is not completely accurate… the O’s could decide to move Reimold to Norfolk, and use Montanez as the DH… but I find that unlikely.
It is more likely that Montanez is also sent to Norfolk, and Freel is used as the 4th OF, with Gomez, and Salazar sharing the UTI inf spots.
Montanez turned 27 years old in December… he is the walking definition of a 4th OF… what is a better use of 2009 time – Gomez on the bench, or Montanez getting 300 ML at-bats as the 4th OF he is destined to be?
If the O’s keep Montanez, and Gomez and send down Salazar… what are you saying to your system?
Salazar is 31 in June…. He is not a prospect, but he is years younger than Gomez…. He produced for you in AAA last year, and is destroying Winter Ball now… he has played 275 professional games at SS, 221 games at 3rd, 181 games at 2nd… what more do you want out of a bench UTI player?
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/M/luis-montanez.shtml
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/S/oscar-salazar.shtml
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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.