Orioles Sign Randy Winn

OK, it's not a game-changer in the AL East... but it can't hurt.

The Orioles today signed 36 year-old OF Randy Winn, to a minor league deal. That includes an invitation to strong training, so he'll be with the team when they open up camp in a few weeks. According to the Baltimore Sun, Andy MacPhail said the following about the acquisition:

"He's been a proven, versatile veteran that can play all three outfield positions and switch hit...He's a pro's pro. I think [Showalter] wanted to supplement some of the outfield options for us, and he gives us some flexibility to see how the events unfold."

CCHC's Opinion: Good Move. Not terrible exciting, but a solid move none-the-less.You can never have enough depth, and this team doesn't have a lot of qualifty position player talent at the minor league level, especially in the outfield. Yes, there are guys like Matt Angle (who from this point forward I will refere to by his native american name of "Six-Doubles-In-469-PAs"), but someone like Winn brings a proven approach and track record, if not a lot of upside. I doubt very seriously that he makes the major league club in the spring, unless either Pie or Reimold gets traded in the interim; given that, he probably won't get enough playing time to be a factor one way or the other. He's an injury replacement at this point.

Winn has career .284/.343/.416 slash line, with 1759 hits and 215 career steals. He tailed off a lot last season while he was in NY, and it looked like he was close to the end - but the Cardinals signed him in early June, and he was a decent role player for them the rest of the year. On the season he hit .239/.307/.356 in 233 PAs, combined.

Randy Winn's Career Stats

Year	Age	Tm	AB	R	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+
1998	24	TBD	338	51	9	9	1	17	26	.278	.337	.367	.704	83
1999	25	TBD	303	44	16	4	2	24	9	.267	.307	.366	.673	71
2000	26	TBD	159	28	5	0	1	16	6	.252	.362	.302	.664	72
2001	27	TBD	429	54	25	6	6	50	12	.273	.339	.401	.740	97
2002	28	TBD	607	87	39	9	14	75	27	.298	.360	.461	.821	120
2003	29	SEA	600	103	37	4	11	75	23	.295	.346	.425	.771	107
2004	30	SEA	626	84	34	6	14	81	21	.286	.346	.427	.772	103
2005	31	TOT	617	85	47	6	20	63	19	.306	.360	.499	.859	128
2006	32	SFG	573	82	34	5	11	56	10	.262	.324	.396	.721	84
2007	33	SFG	593	73	42	1	14	65	15	.300	.353	.445	.798	104
2008	34	SFG	598	84	38	2	10	64	25	.306	.363	.426	.790	105
2009	35	SFG	538	65	33	5	2	51	16	.262	.318	.353	.671	76
2010	36	TOT	205	23	8	2	4	25	6	.239	.307	.356	.663	80
13 Seasons			6186	863	367	59	110	662	215	.284	.343	.416	.759	99