Arrivals and Departures (1/7/2013)

A short primer on options was provided in an earlier post found here.  If you have any further questions about this issue or other baseball related issues, feel free to email us at CamdenDepot@gmail.com.

The Winter Meetings have been long done with very little movement on the Orioles' 40 man roster.  The team has reportedly discussed signing or trading for several players including but not limited to Joe Saunders, Matt Lindstrom, Lance Berkman, Michael Morse, Justin Smoak, Adam LaRoche, Rick Porcello, and Jason Kubel.  Nothing seems eminent.  The market still has some interesting players, but none that will dramatically improve the team.  Perhaps someone can offer to sign Kyle Lohse to a one year deal with an agreement not to offer arbitration as was done by the Dodgers with Orlando Hudson a few years back.  Anyway, one to the 40 man roster moves,

40 Man Transactions since 12/10/2012:

December 21, 2012 - Steve Pearce was designated for assignment and removed from the Orioles 40 man roster. Eduardo Encina noted that any addition would be a "kick the tires" sort of addition.
January 4, 2013 - Orioles claim catcher Luis Martinez off of waivers from the Texas Rangers who had to make room for their signing of relief pitcher Jason Frasor.

Luis Martinez is certainly a "kick the tires" sort of addition.  By my records, he has one more option remaining on his contract.  He has received accolades for his defense in the minors and has shown decent contact rate and a good understanding of the strike zone.  The major flaw in his game is a major lack of power.  He has a tendency to drive the ball into the ground when he makes contact.  That can work in the minors where fielding and fields are not ideal.  It typically does not work in the majors unless you have speed and can keep teams honest with a few gap shots.  That said, he does provide an option to Luis Exposito who has similar defensive capability, but has power instead of discipline.  Both have one option remaining and, if both stay on the 40 man roster, will provide Norfolk with some decent catching options.  I am unsure if this will impact Caleb Joseph's standing with the team.  If both of the Luis' make the organization and are sent to Norfolk, Joseph will likely begin his age 27 season in Bowie.

Current 40 Man Roster with Options:

	Options Remaining
	*	3	2	1
Pitchers
Jake Arrieta		7/6/2012	O	O
Luis Ayala		X	X	X
Mike Belfiore		O	O	O
Zach Britton		7/9/2011	6/6/2012	O
Dylan Bundy	3/11/2012	O	O	O
Wei-Yin Chen		|	|	|
Zach Clark		O	O	O
Miguel Gonzalez		O	O	O
Jason Hammel		X	X	X
Tommy Hunter		8/16/2008	4/1/2009	5/7/2012
Jim Johnson		6/3/2006	3/12/2007	5/1/2010
Steve Johnson		6/3/2012	O	O
Brian Matusz	3/14/2009	6/30/2011	7/1/2012	O
TJ McFarland		1/5/1900	1/5/1900	Rule 5
Darren O'Day		5/13/2008	O	O
Troy Patton		3/14/2009	3/15/2010	3/11/2011
Pedro Strop		3/10/2008	3/24/2010	5/4/2011
Chris Tillman		3/30/2010	5/29/2011	3/31/2012
Tsuyoshi Wada		|	|	|
Catchers
Luis Exposito		3/17/2011	3/23/2012	O
Luis Martinez		3/11/2011	3/31/2012	O
Taylor Teagarden		7/21/2008	4/27/2010	3/29/2011
Matt Wieters		O	O	O
Infielders
Wilson Betemit		X	X	X
Alexi Casilla		3/23/2007	3/14/2008	5/6/2009
Chris Davis		7/6/2009	4/23/2010	3/29/2011
Ryan Flaherty		O	O	O
J.J. Hardy		X	X	X
Manny Machado		O	O	O
Yamaico Navarro		3/17/2011	5/29/2012	O
Brian Roberts		X	X	X
Jonathan Schoop		O	O	O
Danny Valencia		3/19/2010	5/9/2012	O
Outfielders
Xavier Avery		5/29/2012	O	O
L.J. Hoes		O	O	O
Adam Jones		X	X	X
Nick Markakis		X	X	X
Nate McLouth		X	X	X
Nolan Reimold		3/20/2009	5/12/2010	3/28/2011
Trayvon Robinson		3/18/2010	3/14/2011	3/17/2012

A | denotes my understanding that there is an agreement in place that the specific player cannot be sent to the minors except on injury rehabilitation or through a mutual agreement.

A Rule 5 designation means that the player cannot be sent to the minors unless the Orioles make a trade with the player's former parent club.