MLB free agency 2017: 5 potential teams for Mark Trumbo
Major League Baseball’s home-run leader Mark Trumbo is a free agent. Which teams will make a run at signing him.
After backup catcher Steve Clevenger for Mark Trumbo, the Baltimore Orioles pulled off the best trade in baseball last winter. At the time, Trumbo was coming off two mediocre seasons and did not fit in with the new defense-first approach with the Seattle Mariners. Clevenger went to the Mariners, batted .221 in 22 games, and eventually got himself in hot water for sending a string of racist posts on social media. Trumbo, however, slugged 47 home runs for the Orioles, a new career high, and drove in 108 runs, also a career high.
The Orioles extended Trumbo a qualifying offer, which he declined. Entering free agency, there should be a number of teams interested in signing Trumbo, including the Orioles. As a hitter, Trumbo is rather one-dimensional. He hit 47 home runs but walked only 51 times while striking out 170 times. After failing to complete their deal with Dexter Fowler, Trumbo was forced to play right field for the Orioles, while serving as DH against right-handed pitching. Needless to say, his defense in the outfield left something to be desired. Trumbo has rated better at first base throughout his seven-year career but has never been on a team with an opening at first base.
There are holes in Trumbo’s game, but for a team seeking pure power, he is a younger, cheaper option than Edwin Encarnacion or Jose Bautista. Trumbo’s swing can break down, and he does get homer-happy at times. His career OPS in the second half is over 100 points lower than the first half, and his annual slide dragged down the Orioles after the All-Star break this season. Despite the obvious flaws, power is still valued in a big, big way, and Trumbo will have no problem finding a four-year contract on the open market.
The majority of Trumbo’s suitors will come from the American League, but there is a chance he could land with a National League team to play first base at the right price. Here are the five teams who should have the most interest in signing Trumbo.
Baltimore Orioles
Trumbo’s season with the Orioles underscored many of the problems with their current roster construction. Too many empty at-bats, too many weak fly balls, too many strikeouts, not enough walks. Baltimore’s offense relies on the home run to score, and that will continue in 2017 and beyond. For that reason, re-signing Mark Trumbo would make sense. The Orioles offensive approach cannot be changed without a complete overhaul.
Owner Peter Angelos allowed his team’s payroll to blow past $150 million for the first time last season. The unprecedented level of spending must continue beyond the 2016 season if the Orioles hope to capitalize on the peak years of Manny Machado, Adam Jones, and Chris Davis. One dimensional or not, the 2016 team probably misses the playoffs without Trumbo’s 47 home runs.
The Orioles level of interest in Trumbo will likely depend on how many other teams are in the mix. His free agency case is similar to Nelson Cruz, who played one year for the Orioles in 2014 before leaving after they would not give him a fourth year. In Trumbo’s case, a fifth year would be a deal breaker. Trumbo did enjoy his time in Baltimore and is an obvious fit for the Orioles, their small ballpark, and the AL East.