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The Baltimore Orioles agreed to a one-year deal with outfielder Trey Mancini on Friday to avoid salary arbitration. Outfielder Anthony Santander hasn't come to terms, with the Orioles offering $2.1 million and Santander asking for $2.475 million. Mancini missed all of 2020 while recovering from Stage 3 colon cancer. He was voted team MVP and hit .291 with 35 home runs and 97 RBI in 2019. The 28-year-old has been working out and expects to play a full season in 2021. He averaged 28 home runs in his three full seasons before being sidelined last year. Santander was limited to 37 games last year because of injuries, and he hit 11 home runs and 13 doubles in just 153 at-bats while driving in 32. He should see a significant raise after hitting .261 with 20 homers and 59 RBI in 93 games during his 2019 breakout.
Baltimore Orioles right-handed pitcher Michael Baumann (arm) sustained a flexor strain in his pitching arm while working at the clubs alternate training site. General manager Mike Elias announced that Baumann, the clubs No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is expected back in time for Spring Training next season due to the fact that he avoided ligament damage. Entering camp as a 25-year-old, Baumann may get a crack at the Orioles starting rotation, having compiled a 2.82 ERA across three Minor League campaigns. Check back throughout the winter for updates on his progress.
Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is under contract through the 2022 season at a substantial price tag, but his -7 OPS+ from this year has left many clamoring for the Orioles to move on from his contract. General manager Mike Elias reiterated Saturday that Davis would be a part of the club heading into 21, although he would not reveal his role. Its difficult to see a path in which Davis would get anything mirroring consistent playing time with Renato Nunez having blossomed at first base this season. Davis holds essentially no fantasy intrigue entering next season, even as he returns to Baltimore.
Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias stated Saturday that the club could see a path in which first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini may be able to return as soon as Spring Training next year. Mancini has undergone treatment for colon cancer over the past handful of months, but has stated his intention to return to the field. While it certainly sounds as if the Orioles wont rush Mancini back in any form, he posted an .899 OPS last year with 35 homers, making him a valuable bat for the club whenever he is able to return.
Baltimore Orioles first baseman Renato Nunez (knee) is not among the clubs starting nine for Thursdays contest versus Boston and left-hander Martin Perez as he battles a sore knee. Pat Valaika will enter the lineup and hold down first base in Nunezs absence. On the heels of a 31-homer campaign in 2019, Nunez showcased this season that his power display was not a fluke, raising his slugging percentage to .487 this season. He still carries medium-sized and larger season-long appeal over the final few days of the year, with his next chance to return coming Friday at hitter-friendly Sahlen Field.