Orioles 2016 25-man roster Payroll: $125.16 million (Cap $127.3 million)
Major Re-signings: Matt Weiters, Chris Davis, Gerardo Parra, Darren O’Day
Free Agents: Tyler Clippard
Trades: Brian Matusz to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for 1B/DH Pedro Alvarez
The main goal was to resign the core free agents for the Orioles. That was completed as Weiters and Davis were retained as well as Darren O’Day and mid-season addition Gerardo Parra was brought back. Pedro Alvarez was added as an alternative to Chris Davis to DH and play first base. Tyler Clippard will add some depth to the bullpen.
There were not a lot of trade offers because the Orioles only had three players signed to contracts which also left lots of room in the cap to resign free agents. I also did not want to trade away youth or take on large salaries. This is what left the Orioles in a great position and flexibility since we weren’t tied down to a lot of players.
Orioles Roster
I’m not a big Alvarez fan but I certainly get the draw of his power.
I wonder if it would have been wise to chase a second-tier FA pitcher.
A high on-base guy for the top of the order is what this team needs and an ace. They really have neither.