Putting Hernández signing in proper perspective (with note)

The return of Wade LeBlanc to the Orioles organization came as a surprise with no access to behind-the-scenes negotiations.

LeBlanc walked off the mound on Aug. 23, went on the 60-day injured list, hit the free agent market again and figured to be a fading memory in Orioles history.

I don't recall anyone predicting that he'd sign another minor league deal, but he's going back to the Ed Smith Stadium complex later this month.

The attention given to his return disappeared as quickly as LeBlanc after he threw 13 pitches against the Red Sox. Félix Hernández signed a minor league deal the following day and stole LeBlanc's thunder.

The reaction to Hernández's signing, for $1 million if he makes the club, was typically mixed. Excitement over a pitcher of his stature - a six-time All-Star and former Cy Young Award winner who was building Hall of Fame credentials - versus the anger or disinterest based on his steep decline the past three years and the idea that he's taking away innings from a prospect.

This is awesome news. This is a joke. Pick your favorite.

This is the reality: Hernández is a low-risk signing based on his minor league contract. The Orioles had been geared toward signing a couple of veterans, as they did the previous year with LeBlanc and Tommy Milone, and none were going to be in the group of top free agent starters on the market. They aren't counting on Hernández to be their opening day starter.

They want innings and leadership out of him. They want a couple of placeholders in order to avoid rushing the next wave of prospects. They waited on Keegan Akin, Dean Kremer and Bruce Zimmermann. They'll wait on Zac Lowther, Michael Baumann and Alexander Wells. They'll wait longer on DL Hall and Grayson Rodriguez.

They want veterans who can be moved over the summer. A trade chip on the ol' block.

If Hernández is a flop, they can forget about him.

The Orioles saw the benefits of having two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana in their spring training clubhouse in 2014. They kept him close to Eduardo Rodriguez, who needed some guidance and later brought them Andrew Miller in a trade with the Red Sox that aided their run at a division title and appearance in the American League Championship Series.

Santana never made it to Camden Yards because he blew out his Achilles just as the Orioles were ready to purchase his contract.

Hernández can be the same type of mentor, though hopefully with better luck and a stronger Achilles. He's worth a look, especially after he impressed last spring with the Braves before opting out.

Yes, it was just exhibition games, but it's still possible to evaluate a pitcher against that sort of competition and in that setting.

"I'm excited," said LeBlanc, a teammate in Seattle. "I love Félix, I love being around him. He doesn't take himself too seriously, he doesn't take the game too seriously, and I think that's going to be something that's going to be important for those kids to be able to watch first-hand and see somebody who goes out there and treats it like it's still a game.

"He gets competitive. You can see that fire come out of him. But at the same time, he knows that it's his job, it's not who he is, it's not live or die. He's going out there, he's competing, he's trying to win with everything he has, but he's also having fun and I think that gets lost when young kids are coming up trying to establish themselves and earn a job.

"I think that's something he does a really, really good job of and I love watching it."

This feels a little bit like Vladimir Guerrero's signing in 2011. He was nearing the end of his illustrious career - a former Most Valuable Player, nine-time All-Star and winner of eight Silver Sluggers Awards. His new Orioles teammates were in awe when he walked into the spring clubhouse in Sarasota, Fla., growing silent and just staring.

The big difference is that Guerrero was an All-Star and winner of his last Silver Slugger the previous season with the Rangers. He placed 11th in Most Valuable Player voting in the American League. The Orioles gave him an $8 million deal, with $3 million deferred.

Hernández comes much cheaper, didn't pitch last summer and posted a career-worst 6.40 ERA, a 1.535 WHIP and 10.7 hits allowed per nine innings in 2019.

I'm talking more about being one of the legends in the game.

Sammy Sosa had the same vibe in 2005. Like, "Wow, is this guy really in our clubhouse?"

The Sosa trade didn't work out for the Orioles. Guerrero didn't come close to matching his production the previous season.

The expectations for Hernández, on a rebuilding club that won't pretend to contend, are a tad lower.

Note: Renato Núñez has signed a minor league deal with the Tigers.

The Orioles designated Núñez for assignment and released him while setting their 40-man roster for the Rule 5 draft. They weren't going to risk paying him more than $2 million in arbitration.

Núñez led the Orioles with 43 home runs and slugged .469 the past two summers, but also owns a .314 on-base percentage and is prone to lengthy slumps. He didn't have a position and the Orioles can use other players as designated hitter.