masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe trade of Jim Johnson sure brought on an avalanche of reaction, much of it questioning the return the Orioles got in Jemile Weeks from Oakland.

In acquiring Weeks, the Orioles got a player who didn’t even play much in the majors last year and has not been able to duplicate his big league success of 2011, when he hit .303 in 97 games.

It appears Weeks is not being handed the second base job, so the O’s did not get back a top prospect or a player guaranteed to be a regular in exchange for…The trade of Jim Johnson sure brought on an avalanche of reaction, much of it questioning the return the Orioles got in Jemile Weeks from Oakland.

In acquiring Weeks, the Orioles got a player who didn’t even play much in the majors last year and has not been able to duplicate his big league success of 2011, when he hit .303 in 97 games.

It appears Weeks is not being handed the second base job, so the O’s did not get back a top prospect or a player guaranteed to be a regular in exchange for their closer. This has rankled some fans.

Dan Duquette has said this is about resource allocation, so let’s see where the money now gets spent: If the money doesn’t get spent, the Orioles will and should get criticism. There is no reason I know of to go backward on the payroll.

So what happens now?

Last night on MLB Network – before this trade – both Ken Rosenthal and Jon Heyman said they believed the Orioles are unlikely to re-sign catcher Matt Wieters and, given that, should at least pursue a trade for him.

“He’s not signing an extension, folks,” Rosenthal said. “He already has rejected multiple extension offers. Now his value is down a little bit, too. His offense has tailed off a little bit, but at the same time, there is a lot of defensive value there.”

Heyman did not seem confident, though, that Wieters will be traded.

“Here is the problem,” Heyman said. “Who do you replace him with? I think Buck Showalter is going to go to the mat on this one. How do you trade a great defensive catcher who also has some power?

“That is why the value is so high, beyond what people previously thought for catchers. That is why they are probably looking at Joe Mauer numbers instead of (Yadier) Molina or something like that. I agree, they are not going to get a deal done, but I just don’t see how they can trade him.”

Rosenthal, who first reported the Johnson trade rumors and then last night’s trade, just tweeted this:

“Sources: #Orioles plan to add a closer to replace Johnson. Numerous FA candidates. Trade possible, but less likely. Team also seeking bat.”

Like me, maybe you were confused that the Orioles recently added pitcher Eddie Gamboa to the 40-man roster and then removed him from it last night. Why do that?

I am not sure why, but I have heard this morning that the club intends to re-sign Gamboa, who is technically now a free agent. The Orioles seem confident of retaining his services.

Last season, the 28-year-old right-hander, who began throwing a knuckleball, went 6-11 with a 4.43 ERA between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk. He is 3-2 with a 1.41 ERA over eight winter ball starts in Mexico and has given up just two runs over 31 1/3 innings in his past five starts.

If Gamboa does re-sign, it would likely not come until after the Rule 5 draft. Right now, Gamboa is not eligible to be taken in that draft as a free agent and the O’s would likely not sign him before that draft and then risk losing him. Better to wait on that move.