Orioles Swap Outfielders

Last week, the Orioles traded unhappy OF/IF Ryan Freel to the Chicago Cubs for speedy outfield reserve Joey Gathright. Freel was unhappy with his playing time here in Baltimore and was injured and unproductive. Gathright brings speed but lack of any real power. The Orioles assigned Gathright to the the minor leagues for the time being.

This trade had to happen because Freel and Andy McPhail both agreed that Freel was more apt to receive playing time elsewhere, which ended up being the National League where reserves come into the game more. The Cubs just had an injury happen with star 3rd baseman Aramis Ramirez so let's hope that Freel gets that playing time he's hoped for. I wish him good luck in the remainder of his baseball career.