The Orioles are clearly interested in first baseman/outfielder Gavin Sheets, as reported by MASN’s Roch Kubatko in a recent mailbag column. Although Sheets is still a free agent, it remains to be seen if the Orioles will pursue him further this offseason.
As he turns 29 in April, Sheets, a former second-round pick by the White Sox in 2017, was non-tendered by Chicago after four seasons with the team. His 2023 season was an unequivocal disappointment, hitting a mere .203/.267/.301 with a wRC+ of 61 over 344 plate appearances. Despite this setback, Sheets has typically been an average to slightly below-average hitter in his career.
Notably, he has a significant platoon split; while he boasts a decent 98 wRC+ against right-handed pitchers, he has struggled against lefties, registering a wRC+ of just 74. This trend continued into his 2024 season, where he achieved a 94 wRC+ against right-handers but plummeted to a wRC+ of 59 against lefties.
For the Orioles, who need a left-handed platoon bat at first base, acquiring Sheets makes logical sense. However, their interest seems a bit unexpected given that Ryan O’Hearn occupies a similar role and is already a key part of the team after two consecutive strong seasons in a part-time capacity. Like Sheets, O’Hearn primarily plays first base but can also step in as an outfielder.
While Sheets has more experience in the outfield, his defensive metrics have been underwhelming, with -14 Outs Above Average in right field throughout his MLB career.
Since the offseason began, the Orioles have bolstered their outfield by adding Ramon Laureano, Dylan Carlson, and Tyler O’Neill to an already crowded roster. Meanwhile, O’Hearn, Ryan Mountcastle, and Coby Mayo are all in contention for first base playing time.
This crowded talent pool leaves little opportunity for Sheets to make an impact, though it’s still possible that the Orioles could view him as a depth piece on a non-roster deal, especially considering potential injuries or trades that might change their 40-man roster dynamics.
Beyond the Orioles, several teams, including the Reds, Angels, Rockies, and Marlins, who struggled against right-handed pitching last year, could greatly benefit from Sheets as a platoon option for either first base or the outfield.
