The Orioles have signed infielder/outfielder Cooper Hummel, in accordance with a number of O’s beat writers (together with MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko). KPRC 2’s Ari Alexander experiences that Hummel will obtain $765K in wage as per his new contract. Hummel is represented by Gaeta Sports activities Administration. Infielder/outfielder Terrin Vavra was designated for project to create house for Hummel on Baltimore’s roster.
Hummel’s newest journey to the open market didn’t final lengthy, because the Yankees formally launched him from his minor league contract simply yesterday. That deal contained an out clause that Hummel selected to set off, and New York opted to simply launch Hummel somewhat than override the clause by including him to their Main League roster. Baltimore will now be Hummel’s third completely different group in two months’ time, because the Astros designated him for project simply earlier than Opening Day, paving the way in which for Hummel touchdown with the Yankees shortly thereafter.
The well-traveled Hummel has been a part of eight completely different MLB organizations since he was an 18th-round choose for the Brewers within the 2016 draft. Most of his huge league enjoying time got here in his 2022 rookie 12 months with the Diamondbacks, when he made 201 plate appearances over 66 video games. Since that season, Hummel has seen solely sparing motion within the Present with the Mariners (10 video games in 2023) and Astros (six video games in 2024), and he has hit .159/.255/.275 over 235 profession PA.
His minor league numbers are rather more strong, with a .266/.403/.443 slash line to indicate for 2655 profession PA within the farm methods of his numerous groups. The switch-hitting Hummel additionally brings some added versatility as a uncommon utility sort that may play catcher, although Hummel hasn’t suited up behind the plate for the reason that 2023 season. He has since been extra of a regular first baseman and nook outfielder during the last two years, and Hummel hasn’t performed a lot this season in any respect on account of an unspecified damage that sidelined him for a lot of his time with the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate.
Hummel is out of minor league choices, so the Orioles must designate him for project and expose him once more to the waiver wire if the membership needed to maneuver him to Triple-A. Vavra can also be out of choices, so the O’s basically opted for one “twenty sixth man” sort over one other. Vavra’s minors contract was solely simply chosen to Baltimore’s lively roster yesterday, and he didn’t see any sport motion throughout his newest cup of espresso within the majors.
Vavra has basically been a member of the Orioles’ group for the reason that 2020 commerce deadline, other than barely a two-week stint with the Mariners through the 2024 season earlier than he once more rejoined the O’s. Vavra’s MLB resume consists of 67 video games with the Orioles over the 2022-23 seasons, with a .254/.331/.304 slash line over 159 profession plate appearances.
Vavra has hit .294/.393/.446 over 1510 PA within the minors, and is extra of a real utilityman than Hummel since Vavra has seen a minimum of a while at each place on the diamond throughout his professional profession. The Orioles could also be aiming to maintain Vavra within the group if he can clear waivers, although since he has been beforehand outrighted in his profession, Vavra has the flexibility to elect free company if he’s outrighted once more.
