As a lifelong Orioles fan since the day I was born, I have found it incredibly difficult over the years to determine what direction the team is headed in. Every winter we as fans are promised that the team’s best interests are truly important to the front office and each spring we find out how false those promises really were. I can honestly say that for the first time in many years I have faith that the team is moving in the right direction.
Today’s acquisition of Jai Miller only furthers said belief in that it opens the door for the Orioles to trade Adam Jones. Although Miller has very limited major league experience, pairing him with the recent signing of Endy Chavez could go a long way to bridge the gap created by Jones’ departure.
As a fan, Adam Jones has become one of my favorite Orioles over the last two seasons, and I would be very sad to see him go. However, as a fan who wants to see this team eventually be successful, It is my opinion that Jones should be used for what he is, the teams best trade chip. Lets be realistic here, I understand that Jones is probably the best player on the team, other than Matt Wieters, but I also know that his contract is expiring in two years and there is no guarantee that he would even consider resigning with the team. His value is incredibly high at this time and I have no doubt that trading him will fetch some top tier talent that will help the Orioles to become a much more well rounded team by the spring.
New Orioles GM Dan Duquette has said since he arrived in office that Jones is the type of player that you build an organization around. This statement has not stopped him from trying to work out at least one trade that I know of. For the disbelievers out there, let me say that I do think that Duquette and the rest of the front office are trying to do right by the fans. I, for one am all for them shipping Jones out of town for some much needed starting pitching. In my opinion, this could be the move that begins to shape the future of this franchise.