MLB Insider provides rare trade news this winter
MLB’s ongoing lockdown is preventing teams from signing major league players.
However, they can sign minor leaguers to fill their affiliates.
That’s precisely what happened on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Infielder/outfielder Shed Long is in agreement with the Baltimore Orioles on a minor league contract, a source familiar with the matter told ESPN. Long, 26, has spent the past three seasons with the Seattle Mariners, who beat him outright in October. He chose free agency and is now an O.
—Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 16, 2022
The Baltimore Orioles have secured the services of general-purpose player Shed Long Jr. under a minor league contract.
“Long, 26, has spent the past three seasons with the Seattle Mariners, who beat him outright in October. He chose free will and is now an O,” Passan reported.
Long is precisely the kind of signing a franchise like the Orioles, with nothing to lose, should make.
Some of Long’s former luster is now off after a few disappointing seasons in the majors.
He matured as a ball player in the Cincinnati Reds farm system and was a respected second base prospect.
His power and speed impressed scouts, and you could see teams valued him as a prospect after the New York Yankees traded pitcher Sonny Gray to the Reds for the services of Long.
He was later returned to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for outfield prospect Josh Stowers.
A failed prospect, with some advantages
The Ms gave him the chance to make his MLB debut in 2019, and he impressed with a .263/.333/.454 line, five home runs and three stolen bases in 168 plate appearances.
That 0.787 OPS gave him more opportunities in 2020 and 2021, but he couldn’t take advantage of them (0.533 and 0.619 OPS each year, respectively).
Seattle beat him outright in October, needing a spot on the 40-man roster.
It was the perfect opportunity for the O’s to pounce.
Capable of playing second base, third base and left field, Baltimore will surely find some playing time for himself.
Still only 26 years old, that may be all he needs to fully blossom.
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