The Baltimore Orioles claimed Twins slugger Josh Willingham off trade waivers on Wednesday evening. The Baltimore Sun’s Dan Connolly broke the news while we were wrapping up recording this weeks BSR Podcast (give it a listen). MASNSports.com’s Roch Kubatko reports that the Orioles are attempting to work out a trade for “The Hammer.”
Willingham is signed through the 2014 season, adding to his appeal. He wouldn’t be a rental for the Orioles, who are attempting to make the playoffs for the second consecutive season after a 14-year drought.
The Orioles didn’t express much interest in Willingham before he signed a three-year, $21 million deal with the Twins prior to the 2012 season. Now, they’re trying to add him to their lineup.
The Orioles have 48 hours to complete a trade with the Twins, who can pull Willingham off waivers if talks break down.
Willingham has hit .215/.347/.391 in 88 games for Minnesota this season. He was activated by the Twins on August 9 after missing all of July and early August following arthroscopic knee surgery.
The 34 year old outfielder would likely serve as the Orioles designated hitter, though he has hit just .218/.350/.388 in 403 plate appearances in that role over his career. Orioles DH’s this season have hit .217/.277/.393 in 2013.
I’ve always been a fan of Willingham’s power and think he could be a great addition to the Orioles lineup. However, Baltimore’s biggest weakness is still starting pitching. Their starters combined 4.63 ERA is 28th in baseball. The O’s 4.75 FIP is the worst in the game.
Willingham isn’t a free agent until 2015. He is owed $1.26 million for the remainder of this season will make $7 million next season.
A true Ace sure would look good about now,,,,,,,,I know Tillman should do OK against Lester , but honestly Norris vs.Lackey is a joke (when is the last time an O went 8) and Chen choked the night before,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,the pitching match ups are killing us and it still makes me mad,,,,,,,,,,sorry MGW………..
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Norris pitched well. We know who our starters are. Our bullpen really could use a pick me up. This is so frustrating to watch right now.
spy – Toronto has a staff full of Aces they traded for and signed, including last year’s Cy Young Award winner.
You have to know when to hold’em and know when to fold’em,,,,they didn’t………
But………Toronto went out and spent $155 million on free agents and what did it get them, NOTHING, NADA, ZILCH! You and your new boy Ravens2488 claim that spending money will win a pennant. Yeah, that what Blue Jay fans thought too!
see above words of wisdom from the spy…………….
You can’t have it both ways. Well….in you and Ravens2488’s case, I guess you can go both ways. You base what the Jays did on what the O’s should have done. The Jays fail and YOU can’t admit that spending money is not the way to go all the time. You can’t be satisfied. I bet when we traded for Jones, you being a Bedard guy was not happy.
9inchnails, I go both ways in your house with the Misses, one way is in your bedroom and the other way is in the kitchen.