In nearly seven decades, the Orioles have had a long list of excellent shortstops: Luis Aparicio, Mark Belanger, Cal Ripken Jr., Mike Bordick, Miguel Tejada and J.J. Hardy.
Ever since Hardy left after the 2017 season, there’s been a new starter each season. Manny Machado began 2018 at shortstop but was traded at the All-Star break.
Jonathan Villar took over shortly after Machado’s departure and played regularly through the end of 2019 when he was dealt to the Miami Marlins.
Villar was replaced by José Iglesias, who signed a one-year deal with an option for 2021, but after a $3.5 million option was exercised by the Orioles, he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels.
This year’s shortstop, Freddy Galvis, signed a one-year deal for $1.5 million with a $250,000 bonus if the Orioles trade him.
The instability at shortstop has been unusual for the Orioles. Even though they are a number of promising middle infield candidates in the minor leagues — Cadyn Grenier, Darell Hernaiz, Gunnar Henderson, Joey Ortiz and Jordan Westburg — none is playing at Triple-A, and don’t project to begin 2022 with the Orioles.
While the Orioles wait, the 31-year-old Galvis has performed admirably at shortstop, batting .255 with nine homers and 23 RBIs. Entering Saturday’s game, Galvis has a 1.3 WAR (wins above replacement) on FanGraphs, which exceeds Iglesias’ .3 WAR.
Galvis’ work on the field, and especially away from it, has earned the respect of manager Brandon Hyde.
“He’s a behind-the-scenes guy in a big way,” Hyde said. “He’s a huge voice in our clubhouse privately. You constantly see him talking to our players after games. Guys gravitate to him, just because of the experience he has. He’s got great info.
“Whether it’s facing a pitcher, a situation that happened in the game, he’s talking to our guys all the time. He’s one of the first guys on the field. His work ethic on a daily basis is extremely professional. He’s got an unbelievable routine in the [batting] cage and on the field, so guys can see that.
“He talks about that with some of our younger players. He’s been such a pleasure to have on our team. You see him talking here during games about the pitcher, telling guys what things to look for. He’s just been wonderful.”
It’s possible that the Orioles will trade Galvis by the July 30th deadline, but it might make sense to keep him.
If the Orioles moved him, they could play Ramón Urias, Pat Valaika or Stevie Wilkerson at shortstop for the rest of the season. Or they could see if Richie Martin, who’s on the 60-day injured list because of a broken left wrist, will be ready to return.
When Martin injured the wrist in mid-May, it was estimated he’d miss eight-to-12 weeks. Maybe he’ll be ready by early August. Martin and Villar played shortstop in 2019, but Martin lost his 2020 season when he broke his right wrist diving back into first base during summer camp.
There are a number of top-shelf shortstops who could be on the free-agent market — Javier Baez (Chicago Cubs), Carlos Correa (Houston), Corey Seager (Los Angeles Dodgers), Marcus Semien (Toronto), Andrelton Simmons (Minnesota) and Trevor Story (Colorado). Semien, Simmons and Didi Gregorius were the top shortstops in last winter’s market, but only Gregorius signed a multi-year contract with Philadelphia.
Galvis, Iglesias and Villar could be on the market again, too.
With the glut of fine shortstops available, it seems likely that a few will not get the high dollar, multi-year deals they’re seeking. Galvis, who has been a solid player and valuable addition to the Orioles, might be one of them.
If the Orioles don’t trade him, they would be wise to re-sign Galvis for 2022 as they wait for Henderson or some of the others to be ready for the major leagues in 2023.
The Orioles are not going to bid on any of the big-name shortstops. Galvis has demonstrated his worth to the team and could again in 2022.
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View Comments
Might be nice to see what Mason McCoy could do, too...
If Galvis is traded, we could see him, too.
I have no problem with him returning. Orioles best talent is 2-3 years away anyway. Admirable is the best way to describe his play and yes it does appear Hyde loves him. Coninuity in the IF might be the way to go for the time being. Now get him a 2B partner asap. Did notice while watching yesterday's game that Austin Hays after making an out went right over to Galvis in the dugout. Says a lot.
Keep him!
If they are offered somebody they like,then I say trade him. He will be gone when they become relevant anyway.
Rich, what happened to Grenier? He is hitting .300 in AA. He was a very weak hitting / high strikeout prospect prior to this year. Did he re-do his swing aka Mullins or is this just a good blip?
I don’t know, but he was highly thought of when he was drafted. Sometimes it takes players a few years to develop.
Galvis has been a pleasant surprise. I wouldn’t mind if they brought him back next year but the orioles have some infield talent that I would like to see get a shot. Vavra who we got back for Givens has looked good. And so has Griener.
Vavra has only played two games at shortstop this year. He's more of a second base prospect for them.
I miss Willy Miranda.
Galvis ... meh ...I've seen worse. Then again, we've all seen better. I'd like to hear what the analytics people think of his range and fieldng ability. Although he's certainly an upgrade over the likes of a Jonathan Villary type, my eye test seems to think he doesn't cover a lot of ground going right, or especially in the hole. It may be my imagination but he also seems to bobble quite a few balls.
Again, I'm not the biggest fan of analytics, but if someone could enlighten me on his range and hands, I'd be interested.
As far as next year? Hell no .. go give Grenier or Martin/McCoy a shot. I know that Grenier came up as a way-above-average-glove only type player, but maybe he's figured it out with the bat. Let's see what he does with the bat over the rest of this year. Besides that ... it appears that Gunnar is a prodigy type. I expect ot see him a lot sooner than most do. I can't see him in staying minors for more than another 1 or maybe 2 years. He appears to be the future in the 6 hole.
Ken, Galvis' defensive metrics rate him as a slightly above average shortstop. I think he's also hurt by not having a good second baseman. I think that Henderson should be up fairly soon, but not to begin next year. As for Martin, he's now lost all of one season and a large part of another to injuries, so I'm thinking they're not depending on him. McCoy's bat has been weak at Norfolk. It's not wild to think he could get a shot this year, but they have so many other better prospects at short.
I agree, Galvis just doesn’t pass the eye test, people saying well the analytics say this, his range is below avg, you can’t field (or try) to field something you’re not getting to, that skews his numbers, rarely do you see him get dirty, I like that the youngens have someone to talk to, but I’d rather see youngens at both middle infield spots as well as catcher next yr...go O’s...
I hate to give into analtytics, me being a dinosaur and all, but the statcast system measures the distance a player travels to get to a ball. It's a pretty exact tool for measuring things like that. Anybody ... Is statcast analytics? ... I'm not sure. I'm thinking it's a tool used to create analytics ... if that makes sense.
It would be great to have one of the shortstops mentioned but Genius1 is not interested in Major League FREE AGENTS, at least not "The Top Fifty" so we will wait.....and wait.........and wait!
Norm, they shouldn't spend a lot on placeholders. Galvis at $1.5 million is outperforming Iglesias at $3.5 million. Henderson has been getting rave reviews, so he shouldn't be terribly far away.
So, as usual, it's not about winning, it's about money. Pardon me if I'm not shocked. We've had "placeholders" for three years and .500 is just a dim view far in the future. Rich, can you imagine what Elias would take for Mancini, perhaps 3 bats and a box of balls should do it. Very disappointing!
Norm, Galvis is a perfectly acceptable major league shortstop. He's hardly the worst player on the team. There were no really good infielders in the minor league system. Now, it appears there are. I know you're impatient, and I know that you don't want to wait. I'm not guaranteeing this way will work, but complaining about a decent shortstop isn't the way to go here.
I'm not complaining about Galvis, I'm complaining about a team that, as far as I can see, is made up of more than 80% "Placeholders". BTW let's hope that includes the manager. Not playing the best outfielder on the team to give him a "rest"? The O's, I believe, had 2 off days last week. How much rest does a 25 year old need?
Norm, Tropicana Field is the worst surface in the major leagues. Hyde is trying to make sure his players can make it through 162 games. Mullins had played every single game this season. It's fine to rest a player to keep them fresh. Mullins has never played a complete major leagtue season.
Norm I was wondering the same thing about Mullins today. Gotta wonder.
I do have to disagree about what Elias would take for Mancini. I've pretty much liked his trades up to this point...except maybe letting Cobb go before this year. But here's to hoping J Jones proves me wrong on that one.
They had two days off last week, right handed pitcher, he should’ve been in the line up today, not that it currently matters as they’re getting throttled, might’ve been different with starters...go O’s...
Is Henderson projected as a MLB SS or 3B?
TBD, that’s why I listed those players as middle infielders. Orioles are stressing versatility in the minors.
Trade chip. Trade him and maybe resign next year. Put the ball boy in a short if you have to, but trade galvis for something.
I'm all for Freddy being back next year. It's unlikely he fetches a big prospect in a trade. And the prospects we have are a bit away.
Plus, he costs very little compared to most major league shortstops. I see very little downside to keeping him around.
Hays amazes me with some of the pitches he swings at. Bouncing 2 ft in front of the plate and .....YEP HE SWINGS ! Still learning what a pitched "ball" looks like. Still learning what a pitched "strike" looks like.
Still learning
Guess he’s not seeing the ball right now. He just got back. Give him a few games. Can he pitch????
Would be good if he could pitch.
As I'm sure you've seen me say multiple times on here.........pitching, pitching, pitching, & more pitching
Grow the arms… buy the bats
I know this is the impatient old man in me but I’m ready to give up on Hays. He has long streaks of being terrible then when he finally figures something out and gets going he gets hurt.
Maybe they could get something for him?...go O’s...
He had 8 at bats during his rehab, 1 hit, although it was a HR you’d think he’d need more, kind of looks like it now, rush some, not others...lol...go O’s...