A look at Mark Trumbo's impact on the lineup, payroll and more

So what now for the Orioles after their contract agreement yesterday with slugger Mark Trumbo? How does his return impact the payroll, other players and the lineup?

The payroll: When I published this story recently, the Orioles payroll was at $141.1 million for 19 players with salaries set for 2017 (or close to set pending arbitration). We don't yet know the club's obligation to Trumbo for next season, but the average annual value for a three-year, $37.5 million deal is $12.5 million per season. That takes the payroll to $153.6 million for 20 players.

They might still have room to add an outfielder like Angel Pagan if they choose to. They could also fill out the roster with pending arbitration-eligible players, as they certainly will to some extent, making for an additional $2-3 million or so on the payroll.

O's lineup versus RHP/versus LHP:
7-Hyun Soo Kim/7-Joey Rickard
8-Adam Jones/8-Adam Jones
5-Manny Machado/5-Manny Machado
3-Chris Davis/9-Mark Trumbo
DH-Mark Trumbo/3-Chris Davis
4-Jonathan Schoop/DH-Trey Mancini
9-Seth Smith/2-Welington Castillo
2-Welington Castillo/4-Jonathan Schoop
6-J.J. Hardy/6-J.J. Hardy

The return of Trumbo could potentially impact Mancini the most. Once considered the top candidate to get the bulk of the designated hitter at-bats, those at-bats could now go to Trumbo, sending Mancini either to the bench more or back to Triple-A.

The O's could carry Mancini to get those starts against left-handed pitching, but would they carry a young player for such limited playing time? They certainly could, as a lineup including Mancini might be the best they could put out against lefties.

In 2015 at Double-A Bowie, Mancini hit .370/.427/.765 against left-handers with an OPS of 1.192 and eight homers in 81 at-bats. In 2016 with Triple-A Norfolk, he hit .283/.359/.442 with an OPS of .802 and two homers in 113 at-bats against left-handers.

Then during his brief time with the Orioles last September, Mancini went 4-for-10 against lefties with a double and three home runs. He took Eduardo Rodriguez, David Price and Robbie Ray deep.

This lineup puts Smith in the No. 7 spot against right-handed pitchers. He has an .827 career OPS against right-handers. It puts Castillo at No. 7 against lefties. He had an .868 OPS last year versus lefties and has a career .840 OPS against southpaws.

Trumbo's return might make it even tougher for the Orioles to carry even one of their Rule 5 picks, much less two with Aneury Tavarez and Anthony Santander trying to make the leap from the minors.

If Kim and Smith start in the outfield corners versus right-handed pitching, is that an upgrade on defense from last year, or enough of one? The club could still be pursuing an outfielder that brings some or all of defense, speed, on-base capability and the ability to bat at or near the top of the order.

It appears that once again Dan Duquette saved the club money and got a solid player by waiting the market out. Plus, he enjoyed some good fortune, as it appeared Trumbo could have gotten more from the Orioles earlier in the process. Either way, the Orioles got back a player they clearly seemed to want back right from the start of the process.