The Winter meetings have commenced, and many are waiting to watch and see what the Orioles along with the 29 other teams do this week.
Right now, I see the Orioles making a few moves — mostly on the trade front and maybe a mid-level free agent — or at least get things in motion.
Then again, I don’t expect Teixiera to sign at all and will only see what’s out there and Burnett may sign, but it won’t be with the Orioles.
However, the biggest name who may be close to being dealt on the team so far is Ramon Hernandez from what I have read online today.
Here’s the latest from Peter Schmuck:
There has been talk for days that Ramon Hernandez could be headed to Cincinnati, perhaps for fourth outfielder Ryan Freel. If that goes down, the Orioles would likely sign a stop-gap catcher (Gregg Zaun?) and ease Matt Wieters into the position.
The O’s would likely have to absorb some of Ramon’s salary to get that deal done. Freel stole more than 30 bases in each of the three seasons in which he played more than 100 games, but only appeared in a total of 123 games the past two seasons. He would provide the Orioles with some right-handed depth in the outfield, even if the club also succeeds in acquiring left-handed hitting outfielder Felix Pie.
Many of you all know how I feel about Ramon — he was brought into Baltimore to shore up the catching situation. When he signed with the team, I thought he was a key cog in building a winner; however, I think because of the losing and apathy, he’s become a liability — especially behind the plate.
I’m not sure he wants to be in the organization or really cares at this point; thus, I can see him being moved and new blood coming in — mainly in the name of Matt Wieters.
Baltimore may sign a veteran backup catcher, or a primary one if Wieters isn’t ready, but I see Ramon being dealt.
