The Baltimore Orioles are interested in free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. However, the team would need to shed some payroll from their current roster in order to fit Beltran in. One option for shedding said payroll would be trading catcher Matt Wieters.
Carlos Beltran free agency: Orioles interested in OF
However, the team may have to clear some salary in order to sign the star outfielder.
Dilip Vishwanat
Baltimore's desire for Beltran makes sense. The team's current depth chart lists Steve Pearce (career 694 OPS) in left field and Danny Valencia (career 714 OPS) as the designated hitter, and Beltran posted a 2013 batting line of .296/.339/.491 with 24 home runs despite home games in a pitcher's park. However, what is unclear is why it would be necessary to deal Wieters in order to add a contract for the switch-hitting slugger. Although the 36-year-old Beltran could command up to $15-20 million per year on his next deal, dumping Wieters would open a hole behind the plate which would cost more money to fill on the free agent market.
Another option to clear payroll could be to get rid of closer Jim Johnson, according to Mark Brown of Camden Chat. Johnson could command as much as $10 million in arbitration next year, but the team may be hesitant to pay that much for a closer who blew nine saves last season.
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