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The Orioles have acquired the infielder Nick Bully of the Tigers due to cash considerations, both teams announced. Detroit had designated him for assignment on Monday when they claimed reliever Kolton Ingram of the Angels. The O’s now have 39 players on the 40-man roster.
It’s the second time in recent weeks that the O’s have traded for an infielder kicked off the roster in Detroit. Baltimore brought back Tyler Nevin also in a cash transaction in January after his DFA. They will again send some money to the Tigers to bypass the waiver order and increase their infield depth.
Maton, who turns 27 later this month, had a disappointing year in Detroit. The Tigers acquired him from the Phillies amid a return of three players for the hard-throwing reliever. Gregorio Soto last low season. Maton had a decent amount of rushing to start the season, but struggled on both sides of the ball. He hit .173/.288/.305 with eight home runs in 293 plate appearances, the most of his career. He also had a handful of costly defensive errors and was rated as a below-average defender at both second and third base.
Despite the below-replacement level of production, it’s not surprising that someone was willing to take a flight at Maton. He responded well to an optional midseason assignment to Triple-A, hitting .293/.414/.457 in 38 minor league games. Maton has demonstrated a very patient offensive approach throughout his career. He took free passes at a rate of 15.4% in Triple-A and walked in 13% of his MLB plate appearances with Detroit.
Baltimore already has a solid collection of talent on the infield. Nevin and Maton join forces Gunnar Henderson, Ryan O’Hearn, Jordan Westburg, ryan montecastle, jorge mateo and Ramon Urias on the 40-man roster. Baltimore sent joey ortiz in it Corbin Burnes trade but is expected to add Jackson Holliday to the MLB team at the beginning of the year, perhaps on opening day.
However, GM Mike Elias told 105.7 The Fan yesterday (link) that the front office felt there was room for a left-handed hitter who could impact second base. Westburg, a right-handed hitter, is the projected starter. Adam Frazierwho worked as a left-handed second baseman a year ago, left in free agency.
Maton hits from the left side, so he could fight for that spot in spring training. Like Nevin, he is out of minor league option years. Baltimore can’t send him to Triple-A without first trying to get him off waivers. There’s no guarantee he’ll make the team (it’s hard to imagine Nevin and Maton making the Opening Day roster), but there’s also little harm to the O’s taking advantage of their openings behind the 40-man roster to add competition in spring training. .