The Baltimore Orioles have traded infielder Alex Gonzalez to the Detroit Tigers for switch-hitting infielder Steve Lombardozzi. The Tigers got Steve Lombardozzi from the Washington Nationals in the Doug Fister trade back in November after spending his first two seasons with the Washington Nationals. He has primarily been a second baseman (102 games), but he has also seen time in left field (64 games), at third base (20 games), and at shortstop (2 games).
Lombardozzi is originally from Fulton, Maryland and went to Atholton High School in Columbia. He is the son of former MLB player Steve Lombardozzi. He is pre-arbitration eligible for another year, so his salary will probably be a tad bit more than $500,000. Lombardozzi is a candidate to be the Opening Day second baseman, especially since Manny Machado will not be ready by Opening Day. Once Machado returns, Lombardozzi should be a utility infielder and might split time at second base with Ryan Flaherty.
Overall, I think this is a good trade for the Orioles. Gonzalez was going to be a utility infielder at best and Gonzalez is 36 years old. Plus, his only strong position is shortstop, which is already occupied by J.J. Hardy. Steve Lombardozzi can play multiple positions and could easily wind up being the Opening Day starting second baseman.
