Some reasons why Nottingham netted a minor league deal

The Orioles had a quiet weekend, at least on the transactions wire. They could have been working on their minor league coaching staffs or engaging in negotiations with representatives for minor league free agents. But nothing public to digest.

Their work isn't done behind the plate, but Jacob Nottingham is a heavy favorite to make up half the catching duo on opening day because he's under contract.

It doesn't take much more than that.

The 40-man roster is lacking a backstop and that won't change until the lockout ends. The Orioles need more than Nottingham, but he's a good start.

Among the boxes that he checks off are:

Has played in the majors
The Triple-A roster lacks catching experience on that level, or anyone beyond Adley Rutschman who's ranked among the top 30 prospects in the system. But let's stick with experience.

Nottingham has appeared in 53 games and accumulated 130 plate appearances over four seasons. He isn't an All-Star, which explains the limited exposure and his status as a minor league free agent, but the Orioles weren't seeking a long-term solution. They have one in Rutschman.

They need a starter who can transition to backup and help to mentor Rutschman. Maybe that's Nottingham. Maybe that's another catcher who signs, with the Orioles checking the major league and minor league markets.

Caleb Joseph is out there and he's played in 425 major league games, not counting three in the 2014 playoffs. You remember that team. Also, a great clubhouse guy who is viewed in the industry as having the skills to be a future manager or coach. But I digress ...

He can catch
As I've said, it's in the job description. Can't spell "catcher" without "catch." But the Orioles have settled for or tried to function with minus defenders.

They purchased Austin Wynns' contract because of his reputation behind the plate, including his arm and handling of a pitching staff. It wasn't for his bat.

Wynns is a free agent now and expected to sign with another team after the lockout.

Pedro Severino's run of leading the league in passed balls won't be extended with the Orioles. He signed a $1.9 million contract with the Brewers. Otherwise, he would have been non-tendered.

Nottingham has thrown out 33 percent of runners in the minors. He apparently has developed a good reputation for calling games. His pitch framing is average at best, but he seems like an upgrade.

The front office already knows him
Can't hurt, right?

The Astros selected Nottingham in the sixth round of the 2013 draft when Mike Elias was their director of amateur scouting. The Orioles hired Elias as executive vice president/general manager in November 2018.

Elias must like him if willing to hand out a minor league contract and bring him to spring training. I'm willing to venture out on that limb, and I'm terrified of heights.

He has some pop
Nottingham is a career .184/.277/.421 hitter in 53 games with the Brewers and Mariners from 2018-21. He struck out 20 times in 45 plate appearances this summer and 20 in 20 games in 2020.

As is usually the case, the minor league numbers are more encouraging.

Nottingham is a career .253/.330/.409 hitter with 119 doubles, nine triples, 58 home runs and 291 RBIs in 558 minor league games. He hit four home runs in 20 games with the Brewers in 2020 and three this summer in his 15 games.

The guy can run into one.

He can play more than one position
Wynns logged his first major league inning at first base this summer and he made two starts there with Single-A Frederick in 2015.

This is done in a blowout. To get a starter off his feet.

Nottingham has made four starts and five appearances at first base in the majors, with no errors committed. He's made 42 starts among his 51 appearances in the minors.

His comfort at first is another attractive quality.

Nottingham is out of minor league options and can decline an outright assignment. He might not be able to provide Triple-A depth.

That box remains empty. Much like my dance card in high school.

* In case you missed it, former Orioles reliever Adam Plutko signed with the LG Twins of the Korea Baseball Organization. The transaction was finalized on Thursday.

The contract reportedly contains a base salary of $500,000 with an additional $300,000 in possible incentives.

Plutko had a 6.71 ERA and 1.633 WHIP in 38 appearances before the Orioles designated him for assignment on Aug. 15. He cleared waivers, spent the rest of the summer at Norfolk and became a free agent on Oct. 4.

The Orioles acquired Plutko from the Indians on March 27 for cash considerations and he was solid in April with a 1.20 ERA, 1.000 WHIP and .212 average against in 10 games covering 15 innings, but the decline in his effectiveness was sharper than glass.

Plutko surrendered 17 home runs to tie for fourth on the team. He served up home runs in his last six appearances to break Mark Williamson's club record of five set in 1990.

He wasn't coming back to the organization.

* The Nationals signed former Orioles third baseman Maikel Franco to a minor league deal over the weekend.

Speaking of guys who weren't returning.

The Orioles released Franco on Aug. 27 after he batted .210/.253/.355 in 104 games with 22 doubles, 11 home runs and 47 RBIs. Baseball-Reference.com calculated his WAR at minus-1.6 and dWAR at minus-0.6.

Franco broke camp as the starting third baseman after signing for $800,000. Poor play and a sprained ankle eliminated his status as a trade chip.

Third base remains unoccupied as the Orioles wait for a new collective bargaining agreement. Kelvin Gutiérrez could be labeled the incumbent based on his usage late in the season.