The Orioles exercised their $3.5 million option on the 2021 contract of shortstop José Iglesias, the team announced on Sunday.
Iglesias was signed on January 7th to a $2.5 million contract with a $3.5 million option or a $500,00 buyout.
The team, which had until 5 p.m. Sunday to pick up the option, solidified its 2021 middle infield with the move.
On Friday, the Orioles added 2019 Gold Glove second baseman Yolmer Sánchez on a waiver claim.
Iglesias, who was hampered by quadriceps and wrist injuries, played in 39 games and hit .373 with three home runs and 17 RBIs. He also had 17 doubles. Igelsias started just 22 games at shortstop in the 60-game season.
The moves by the club cast doubt on the future of infielders Hanser Alberto and Pat Valaika. Both are eligible for arbitration. It will be Alberto’s second year of arbitration eligibility, and the Orioles are unlikely to keep him along with Sanchez and Iglesias.
Alberto received a contract of $1.65 million this year. Valaika is in his first year of eligibility for arbitration.
Sanchez, who signed a minor league contract with San Francisco this season before his August 21st release and subsequent signing with the Chicago White Sox, is also eligible for arbitration.
The Orioles soon will reactivate infielder Richie Martin from the 60-day injured list and also have Ramón Urias on the 40-man roster as infield insurance.
There are 33 players on the Orioles’ 40-man roster.
Note: On Friday, pitchers Branden Kline and Kohl Stewart declined their outright assignments by the Orioles and will explore free agency.
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Wonderful news!! Looks like our speculation of the financial problems were off mark. Future is looking a bit brighter now.
Rich, great news on Iglesias. As for arbitrations, can you explain how the process works? If the O's non-tendered any one of their arbitration eligible players, can they re-sign that player, since he is a free agent? Did Alberto make more money than Sanchez in 2020? What are the projections for arbitration awards associated with a shortened season? Can the O's hold discussions with players/agents before the deadline for arbitration decision? Thanks
Frankly, I'm not sure how I feel about his one. Makes me wonder what is in store for Martin?
Not sure how old Martin is, might not be bad for another yr if he’s still on the young side, don’t see Iglesias for more than a yr...go O’s...
I agree. I’m a fan of Martin. Maybe they can get him a look a 2nd base.
Another option is to even try Martin at 3rd...nothing to lose if they do.
Sorry Boog, but when you have a guy who hit .373 playing shortstop, Rule 5 Ritchie, who is a lottery ticket at best, is just gonna have to wait.
I get what you're saying, but I fully expect Jose's average to well ... average itself out to the .275 hitter he's always been when he plays a full season. And to expect him to play a full season is probably wishful thinking as well. Here's to hoping I'm wrong one more time!
Cmon Martin hit 208 in 09. I don’t mind Martin as a utility guy although Valaika is a much better hitter and has some power to. I think Nunez and Alberto won’t be tendered and if Sanchez plays second and Trey is well I’m liking the infield except for Ruiz at 3rd base and of course the 22 million dollar man looming over us.
2019
True but let's not forget that Cedric Mullins hit .196 over 2018/2019. Like Mullins, Martin is a superior athlete that needs to be given more than a cup of coffee of a chance to learn to hit.
But don't get me wrong ... signing Iglesias was a good idea. He certainly earned it with his bat. I don't expect him to repeat that over a full season, but he earned it.
I suppose it’s reassuring that they didn’t cut him loose to save 3 mil, a sum that I am certain I will never make in a year but is small potatoes in MLB terms. Keeping a solid, veteran defender at the shortstop position who hit .373 (!!) with young pitchers on the bump is a no-brainer, especially with no prospects waiting to fill the void. Let him work, and maybe if the bat stays hot you can flip him next July. If you are that in love with Martin (who looks like nothing more than a utility guy to me) and Iggy’s legs don’t look fit for the punishment, he could slide over to third too since Rio Ruiz doesn’t look like the answer there.
Good point.
Relieved that my doubts that the team would re-sign Iglesias proved incorrect. That said, this decision should have been a no-brainer - don't understand why they waited to the very last moment.
Analytics, lol, go O’s...
What’s the logic on why they’d move on from Alberto? How many more years is he arbitration eligible?