For a few seasons now, good news has been scarce for the Baltimore Orioles. It’s overwhelmingly sad, as the Maryland State roster was once a prestigious organization with great players to draw the crowds.
Far is the day when we find them in the playoffs, them whose mega-rebuilds never seem to end up being rebuilt. Not only that, but they have the misfortune of playing in one of the best divisions in baseball from year to year. Indeed, everything indicates that the fifth place of the East Division of the American League is already acquired for the coming season.
One player stood out
Of all this, if there has been a great story with the Orioles recently, it’s about first pad and designated hitter, Trey Mancini. After missing the entire 2020 season due to illness, the # 16 came back strong in 2021 after surviving colon cancer. He even managed to make his team shine in the home run competition, which he lost in the grand final to Pete Alonso of the New York Mets.
He has not only become a favorite of his own, but of all major baseball fans. His courage and resilience touched people, and rightly so. However, the player who will celebrate his 30 years in March will be entitled to complete autonomy in 2023. What to do with him, if you are the Orioles? It is legitimate to ask the question.
Make the fans happy
Being the leader of the team, I would keep it within the formation. Even though he has some market value, Mancini is not of the caliber of the Freddie Freeman or Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of this world and so, in that sense, Baltimore will not get the moon in return for his services. The fans of the team have become attached to him and he is one of the few players that people will travel to in 2022 to watch them play. Yes, sport is a business. However, sometimes you have to see the human side of it and Mancini embodies that principle.
In a similar but different way, this is what we see with a player like Whit Merrifield of the Kansas City Royals. KC could have a great comeback and improve for the future by trading in his all-rounder. However, at some point you have to give fans a reason to follow the team’s activities, buy jerseys and game tickets.
Coming back to Mancini, if there is a deal to be done, the deal deadline might be the perfect venue to do it. The Baltimore Orioles might even justify it by wishing him to win a World Series with a roster that aspires to top honors after going through everything he’s been through.
Until then, it will be interesting to see Mancini’s prowess this season, as he will have a full year of baseball behind the tie since his forced leave.
