Baltimore Expressed Interest in Andre Ethier

According to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports, the Orioles have checked with the Dodgers about Andre Ethier. Does this mean the Dodgers are going to move Ethier as well?

It could. But apparently the Dodgers wanted a little too much in return. Plus Ethier’s hefty contract is making things difficult to work out a trade. We know that Baltimore was interested in Matt Kemp, before the Dodgers traded him to San Diego. But Baltimore changed their minds on Kemp, because of his huge contract and health issues.

The Orioles are looking for a left handed hitting outfielder. Especially after long time Oriole, and left handed hitting outfielder Nick Markakis signed with Atlanta this winter.

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The Dodgers had asked for Kevin Gausman and or Dylan Bundy in return for Kemp, when they were talking with the Orioles about a Kemp trade. Obviously Ethier would not get a huge return, but he could provide a decent platoon option, and he can play center field.

Stacie just wrote an article about how Andre Ethier is still standing after the dust settled from the enormous roster overhaul the Dodgers had this winter. Ethier is still owed 53.5 million dollars over the next three years. He also has a 17.5 million dollar vesting option for the 2018 season, and a 2.5 million dollar buyout for the option year.

Ethier turns 33 in April and has expressed his interest in returning to a starting role. It is actually possible that the Dodgers may end up keeping Ethier, and he could see a good amount of time playing in left or right field this season depending on Carl Crawford’s health, and the development of top prospect Joc Pederson.

Ethier batted just .249 in 2014 with four home runs in 380 plate appearances, as he was relegated to a bench role last year. Ethier drove in 42 runs in 130 games played, getting playing time at all three outfield positions.

Ethier has a career .285 average, with a .359 OBP, and 145 home runs in nine major league seasons, all played with the Dodgers.

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According to sources, the Orioles are most interested in obtaining outfielder Colby Rasmus, but also have interest in Nori Aoki, and a couple of other cost controlled outfielders. It appears that their interest in Ethier wasn’t that serious.

I would be fine with seeing Ethier stay with the Dodgers, provided that he can still produce at a decent level. The Dodgers may need Ethier if Crawford can’t stay healthy. Ethier is still a personal favorite Dodger of Stacie and myself, and has been for years now.

Andre Ethier is one of the longest tenured Dodgers behind A.J. Ellis.