Orioles acquire INF Lombardozzi for Gonzalez
The Baltimore Orioles have acquired infielder Steve Lombardozzi from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for infielder Alex Gonzalez. This trade comes a day after the Orioles found out that Manny Machado will not be ready for opening day. The Orioles have also designated Johnny Monell for assignment, which means Steve Clevenger will likely be the Orioles backup catcher.
Lombardozzi is 12 years younger than Gonzalez and is from Fulton, Maryland. Lombardozzi has appeared in parts of three seasons and has a career batting average of .264 and five home runs.
Gonzalez has had an outstanding spring so far hitting .429 and two home runs but Lombardozzi offers more versatility defensively. Lombardozzi can play secondbase, short stop, third base and the outfield.
This move could also effect Jonathan Schoop’s chances of making the opening day roster. If Ryan Flaherty starts at third base Lombardozzi could start at second. Schoop has had an impressive spring but the Orioles may want to keep in him the minors longer so his arbitration clock does not kick in.
This is a good deal for the Orioles as they get a young player who will be under their control for a while. Lombardozzi has a chance at making the opening day roster.
Here is the Orioles press release.
Orioles acquire INF Steve Lombardozzi from Detroit in exchange for minor league INF Alex Gonzalez
The Orioles today announced that they have acquired INF STEVE LOMBARDOZZI from Detroit in exchange for minor league INF ALEX GONZALEZ.
Lombardozzi, 25, is a .264/.297/.342 hitter in 755 plate appearances since 2011 with Washington, and a career .298/.369/.411 hitter in four minor league seasons. Acquired by Detroit with two other players in exchange for RHP DOUG FISTER on December 2, 2013, Lombardozzi has played second base, third base, shortstop and the outfield for Washington. He was born in Fulton, MD and attended Atholton HS in Columbia, MD.
Gonzalez, 37, was signed by the Orioles as a free agent to a minor league contract on February 1.
To make room for Lombardozzi on the 40-man roster, CA JOHNNY MONELL has been designated for assignment.
