Now that all four All-Star shortstops that hit the free agent market this winter — Dansby Swanson, Carlos Correa, Trea Turner and Xander Bogaerts — have all agreed to lucrative contracts with teams, clubs that missed out on the quartet of stars are exploring alternative options to fill the position.
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Baltimore Orioles have received a number of inquiries on the availability of shortstop Jorge Mateo.
Mateo, 27, is under club control through 2025, and coming off a season in which he received a Fielding Bible Award at shortstop and led the American League in stolen bases.
The Orioles claimed Mateo off waivers in August 2021. After the Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers lost their shortstops via free agency, perhaps Mateo could be a viable option, if the Orioles are open to trading him.
The Orioles are coming off their first winning season since 2016 and appear to be a club entering a competitive window.
The Orioles have three middle-infield prospects currently in Triple-A in Joey Ortiz, Jordan Westburg and Connor Norby, so perhaps the O's would be open to dealing Mateo to make space for their promising young players to get playing time at the Major League level in 2023.
More MLB Offseason Coverage:
- How Dansby Swanson's Grandfather Played Role in Shortstop's Move to Chicago
- Dansby Swanson Posts Goodbye Message on Instagram to Atlanta Braves Fans
- New York Mets' 2023 Projected Starting Lineup After Signing Carlos Correa
- OPINION: Carlos Correa's Contract Will Not Age Well
- OPINION: Jed Hoyer, Cubs Made Right Decision Passing on Carlos Correa
- REPORT: New York Mets Want to Sign Shohei Ohtani Next Winter
- New York Yankees' 2023 Projected Lineup After Re-Signing Aaron Judge
- San Diego Padres' 2023 Projected Starting Lineup After Signing Xander Bogaerts
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