Baltimore Bulletin 2014-1 Free Agent Activity

[nverhoev]

M's Tinker with Lineup

Not very often are defending champions expected to be big players in Free Agency. The 2013 offseason will be no exception as Baltimore will return most of it's core players and with a payroll approaching the leagues cap the M's are focused on acquiring low risk upside players and depth for hopefully another long season and playoff run. Here are the three Free Agent signings to date that will compete for roster spots in spring training.

SS Bartolo Esquival

Esquival was brought in to compete for the fulltime SS position against veteran Juan Lopez. At worse Esquival is a good defender that will be a utility infielder for the club. The fact that he is a switch hitter really adds a lot of flexibility to the roster and at 29 years old Esquival could be around for a while.

P Daniel Richie

The veteran left hander Richie is no stranger to Baltimore fans having spent the past two years at division rival Louisville with previous stints in Greenville and another in Louisville. Clearly at 39 years old Richies best days are behind him but scouts are still impressed with his control. I for one think he is a better pitcher than his recent seasons indicate and was happy to get him on a one year 2 million dollar deal. Richie projects to move into the bullpen for 2014 and depending on his form could see a handful of starts.

P Jose Bruno

Another left hander Bruno has seen his stock drop after his time in Montreal where he won 16 games as a starter in the 2011 season. Bruno can still dial it up to 100MPH and will be used exclusively in the bullpen and likely as a lefty specialist. I am excited to sign him and think he could be a gem at the back end.

[trmmilwwi]

I was looking at Esquival as well... nice pickup.