masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe reality of catcher Matt Wieters’ likely departure from the Orioles is sinking in among his former teammates.
Welington Castillo took his physical yesterday and the announcement of his signing could come later today. He agreed to a one-year deal for $6 million with a player option in 2018 that brings the total value to $13 million.
Wieters is one of the more popular Orioles and an undisputed leader. But players were braced for his exit as he entered free agency.
“It’s tough,” first…

The reality of catcher Matt Wieters’ likely departure from the Orioles is sinking in among his former teammates.

Welington Castillo took his physical yesterday and the announcement of his signing could come later today. He agreed to a one-year deal for $6 million with a player option in 2018 that brings the total value to $13 million.

Wieters is one of the more popular Orioles and an undisputed leader. But players were braced for his exit as he entered free agency.

“It’s tough,” first baseman Chris Davis said last night during the “Hot Stove Show” on 105.7 The Fan. “We understand that it’s a business. You’re not going to have the chance to play with guys your entire career very often. To lose a guy like Matt, especially at that position, it’s going to be tough for us to replace him.”

Castillo will do his best to fill those spikes, and Caleb Joseph is the favorite to remain in the backup role.

“I think people really kind of count Caleb out,” Davis said. “I don’t think they give him as much credit as he deserves. He went through a lot last year, but we have guys that can step up and guys we know can step up. And I’m sure Matt will do well wherever he goes.”

Davis’ knowledge of Castillo is mostly confined to their days in the minors.

“I played against him in Triple-A with the Cubs when I was with Texas a little bit,” Davis said. “In the big leagues, not a lot, but he’s a good catcher. He’s a solid baseball player.

“I think anybody that we bring in is really going to enjoy the different guys that we have and really enjoy playing for Buck (Showalter), so I’m just happy for him.”

* One of the most underrated lines of the Winter Meetings was delivered by Showalter during the yearly media session in the pressroom. It came as a reporter asked whether he’d prefer having a designated hitter who also could play in the field.

“We’ve had some DHs that played right field, too,” Showalter replied.

Got it. The Orioles still want to upgrade their outfield defense.

Mark Trumbo could re-sign and serve as the primary designated hitter, with the ability to fill in at first base and in the outfield. Trey Mancini could be the DH and also back up Davis.

Trey-Mancini-high-fives-white-sidebar.jpg“You know, I can say, this is what I would rather have, but it just depends on which way we have to go,” Showalter said. “Last year, because we signed Pedro (Alvarez) late, it was good for us, especially at that price. Pushed Mark out into the outfield.

“But, you know, I don’t look at Trey as a DH-only candidate. I’d like for him to not only play first base, I’d like for him to play the outfield.”

So I guess we can assume that Mancini will be shagging fly balls in spring training. It makes sense to evaluate him at other positions if the Orioles are determined to keep him on the 25-man roster.

“I’d rather (the DH) be able to play,” Showalter said. “Say it’s Trey. I’d rather him go play first base and get Chris off the field for a day to or two, and he will do that.”

Chris Carter, rumored to be on the Orioles’ radar despite repeated denials whenever I check on it, technically can play first base and the outfield. The positions are on his resume. But he’s not at a defensive level that suits the Orioles.

Maybe the Orioles come back to Carter late in the offseason if they still need an infusion of power, as they did with Alvarez last spring. Maybe their interest is more intense than what I’ve been told. But all signs point to them making a strong push to re-sign Trumbo and turning to Mancini if it doesn’t work out. With the possibility of re-signing Alvarez to face right-handers.

* The only hesitation for the Orioles in giving Hyun Soo Kim more at-bats against left-handers is the concern that he’ll struggle against the hard throwers.

The soft-tossing crafty types, it’s believed, shouldn’t present the same challenge.

Kim went 0-for-17 or 0-for-18 versus southpaws this year, depending on which site you check. The Orioles need a right fielder and also are considering a right-handed hitter to platoon with Kim in left. Joey Rickard would be an option if they stay in-house.

I’m hoping that Kim sees a steady diet of southpaws in spring training. All types of throwers. The Orioles need to figure out exactly what they’ve got with Kim as he enters the final year of his contract.

* The list of things I don’t care about includes the following:

* Joseph’s RBI total
* Minor league signings that don’t come with spring training invites
* Anything now related to the CBA, and that includes the Continental Basketball Association
* Roster additions for the World Baseball Classic
* The World Baseball Classic
* The quality of food served to players in the clubhouse unless I’m invited to join them
* Any report on the Orioles that includes the words “believed to be”
* Whether or not grandma got run over by a reindeer
* Offseason grades published in December
* The world’s obsession with pumpkin spice after the temperature drops below 65
* “Awards” created by newspapers and web sites to promote newspapers and web sites
* Your fantasy baseball team
* Your mock Hall of Fame ballot

* The Orioles’ 40-man roster increased to 39 after pitcher Logan Ondrusek signed a one-year deal with an club option for 2018 and it will be full after catcher Castillo passes his physical.

With multiple moves coming later this winter and maybe into spring training, the Orioles will again be in a roster overflow situation requiring them to remove players. Here’s the current list, which doesn’t include Castillo:

Pitchers
Jayson Aquino
Brad Brach
Parker Bridwell
Zach Britton
Dylan Bundy
Oliver Drake
Yovani Gallardo
Jason Garcia
Kevin Gausman
Mychal Givens
Joe Gunkel
Donnie Hart
Ubaldo Jimenez
Chris Lee
Jesus Liranzo
T.J. McFarland
Wade Miley
Darren O’Day
Logan Ondrusek
Chris Tillman
Logan Verrett
Tyler Wilson
Mike Wright

Catchers
Caleb Joseph
Francisco Pena

Infielders
Chris Davis
Ryan Flaherty
J.J. Hardy
Manny Machado
Trey Mancini
Jonathan Schoop

Outfielders
Dariel Alvarez
Adam Jones
Hyun Soo Kim
Joey Rickard
Anthony Santander
Aneury Tavarez
Adam Walker
Christian Walker

Can Adam Walker hold onto his spot after the Orioles claimed him off waivers from the Brewers, loving his home run totals and shielding their eyes from his strikeout totals? Does Pena, who’s out of options, stay on the 40-man with Castillo and Joseph ticketed to break camp with the team and Chance Sisco and Audry Perez capable of handling the catching duties at Triple-A Norfolk? Is Aquino the most vulnerable among the pitchers?

It isn’t easy carrying two Rule 5 picks into spring training, but the Orioles will try with Tavarez and Santander.