masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOne arbitration hearing is in the books for the Orioles, with catcher Caleb Joseph coming out on the losing end in St. Petersburg, Fla. The ruling was handed down today.
Joseph will be paid $700,000 instead of the $1 million that he sought. He made $523,500 in 2016.
In 49 games last season, Joseph batted .174/.216/.197 with three doubles and no RBIs. He missed a month of the season after suffering a testicular injury that required surgery.
Joseph registered a .994 fielding percentage and threw…

One arbitration hearing is in the books for the Orioles, with catcher Caleb Joseph coming out on the losing end in St. Petersburg, Fla. The ruling was handed down today.

Joseph will be paid $700,000 instead of the $1 million that he sought. He made $523,500 in 2016.

In 49 games last season, Joseph batted .174/.216/.197 with three doubles and no RBIs. He missed a month of the season after suffering a testicular injury that required surgery.

Joseph registered a .994 fielding percentage and threw out 31 runners attempting to steal.

joseph-swing-orange-home-far-sidebar.jpgThe Orioles are 11-1 in hearings since Peter Angelos became majority owner, their most recent win before today coming against outfielder Alejandro De Aza in 2015. The only loss came against pitcher Ben McDonald in June 1995 after independent arbitrator Pat Hardin ruled that the right-hander deserved the $4.5 million requested over the Orioles’ offer of $3.2 million.

McDonald attended the hearing, pitched that night and lost to Randy Johnson. He later said the arbitration process was one of the worst experiences of his life despite the outcome.

Hearings no longer are held in the middle of a season. Joseph can continue to get ready for spring training, with Orioles pitchers and catchers reporting to the Ed Smith Stadium complex on Feb. 13.

Joseph is the early favorite to break camp as Welington Castillo’s backup, but he has a minor league option that could work against him. Francisco Pena is out of options and presents a legitimate challenge.

Matt Wieters remains on the free agent market, but it’s still deemed a longshot that the Orioles re-sign him.

The Orioles face two more potential hearings, with starter Kevin Gausman on Feb. 7 and reliever Brad Brach on Feb. 16.

FanRag Sports first reported the result of Joseph’s hearing.

Update: The Orioles have announced that Joseph has signed a one-year contract.