In a move that’s sure to spark debate among baseball fans, the Orioles have outrighted Weston Wilson, leaving many to wonder about the team’s roster strategy. The Orioles announced today that they’ve outrighted infielder/outfielder Weston Wilson after designating him for assignment over the weekend. This decision comes on the heels of another significant update: Baltimore confirmed losing third baseman Bryan Ramos to the Cardinals via waivers, a move that was reported earlier in the day. With these changes, the Orioles’ 40-man roster now sits at 39 players, as Wilson’s designation had already removed him from the count.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Wilson’s roster spot was initially lost when the Orioles traded for Ramos, sending cash considerations to the White Sox. However, the team quickly waived Ramos as well, suggesting they aimed to stash both players at Triple-A Norfolk. This isn’t out of character for Baltimore, which has earned a reputation as the league’s most aggressive team when it comes to working the waiver wire. Wilson himself was claimed from the Phillies just last month, adding another layer of intrigue to this roster shuffle.
At 31, Wilson has appeared in parts of three MLB seasons, all with Philadelphia. Over 100 games and 245 plate appearances, he’s posted a solid .242/.328/.428 slash line with nine home runs—slightly above-average production. However, it’s worth noting that the Phillies strategically used the right-handed hitter in favorable matchups, with nearly 60% of his career plate appearances coming against left-handed pitching. In Triple-A, Wilson has amassed nearly 1,700 plate appearances over five seasons, hitting .247/.339/.462.
And this is the part most people miss: This marks Wilson’s first career outright assignment, and because he doesn’t have three years of service time, he’s obligated to accept it. He’ll receive a non-roster invite to Spring Training, which begins next week, and will aim to earn his way back onto the roster. However, his path isn’t without challenges. The Orioles’ heavily right-handed bench doesn’t favor his chances, especially after acquiring out-of-options infielder Blaze Alexander from Arizona yesterday. Is this a smart roster move by Baltimore, or are they risking losing valuable depth? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
