It was a season that the Baltimore Orioles would like to forget, and it mercifully ended on Sept. 28 with a 75-87 record.
Finishing in last place in the loaded American League East was never in the plans for these Orioles, who were coming off back-to-back playoff appearances. But they got in a hole early and found themselves forced to sell at the trade deadline, which made the roster look a lot less familiar to most fans in August and September.
Emmanuel Rivera was a player few Orioles enthusiasts expected to see take the field this season in Baltimore, but he wound up playing 42 games. But the 29-year-old, who the O’s claimed off waivers last summer from the Miami Marlins, simply couldn’t get anything going with the bat.
After twice being designated for assignment this season, Rivera decided his window of opportunity in Baltimore had passed. On Monday, the five-year major league veteran elected free agency, per his official roster page.
For the Orioles, Rivera slashed .250/.291/.283 this year, a stunning lack of on-base ability and power given his relatively solid batting average. He appeared in 30 games at third base, eight at first base, two at designated hitter, and six as a pinch-hitter.
Rivera’s other major league experience includes stints with the Kansas City Royals and Arizona Diamondbacks, with whom he made it to the World Series in 2023.
Every team can use versatile infield gloves, but Rivera’s lack of offensive prowess and inability to play the middle infield leaves him with a murky market, to say the least.
Now that he’s on the open market, the Puerto Rico native can search for the least crowded infield depth chart and try to earn himself an invitation to spring training in February.
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