Clevenger's agent wonders what future holds for catcher

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The agent for catcher Steve Clevenger suggests that the Orioles should let the Baltimore native seek a major league job with another organization rather than fight for at-bats at Triple-A Norfolk.

Clevenger was optioned yesterday to create room for first baseman Chris Davis on the 25-man roster. He left Tropicana Field without speaking to reporters and headed to Norfolk.

The Orioles included Clevenger on the roster submitted Sunday at the 3 p.m. deadline, but they brought catcher Ryan Lavarnway to St. Petersburg and purchased his contract the following day. Lavarnway will serve as Caleb Joseph's backup and may start tonight against the Rays in the series finale.

"It's tough that he got sent down today after being told that he made the team," said Josh Kusnick, who presents Clevenger. "We were all in the dark about what happened, but we had an inkling this was coming. I heard things during spring training that this was possible, but nothing from the club, and I didn't really get an indication it was coming to fruition until today.

"I don't understand it from my side. I've been doing this for 13 years now and I've never seen a situation like it before. I'm not one to comment too much on how clubs operate and run their teams. That's their prerogative. But if the Orioles are trying to create roster flexibility and they go ahead and put a guy on the 40-man with no options and took a guy with flexibility and send him down and all of the sudden the flexibility evaporates. I don't understand the long-term plan here for Steve right now."

The Orioles likely would send Clevenger, who broke camp last spring as Matt Wieters' backup, to another team in the right deal. They have four catchers at Norfolk, though one could be placed on the disabled list.

Lavarnway batted .167/.211/.222 with two doubles and two RBIs in 17 exhibition games. He was 3-for-11 throwing out runners and committed one error, but the Orioles like how he calls a game and the pitchers like throwing to him. Clevenger batted .275/.286/.350 with three doubles and six RBIs in 22 games. He was 4-for-13 throwing out runners attempting to steal and didn't commit an error.

"If Steve is going to lose his job to someone with no options remaining, the same age and same position, then it would be great if he could find a major league opportunity somewhere else if it's not going to work out in Baltimore," Kusnick said.

"It might have made more sense to me if the Orioles were trying to create flexibility, but the guy they added doesn't have any options left and they made a situation where if he ever needs to go down, he's got to clear waivers again. That creates inflexibility and I'm totally in the dark on why this keeps happening. I haven't talked to anybody with the club about what happened and what went into the decision. I don't know if they're going to tell me even if I were to ask again."

The Orioles acquired Clevenger and pitcher Scott Feldman from the Cubs on July 2, 2013 for pitchers Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop. He's batted .231/.286/.337 with nine doubles, a triple and 10 RBIs in 39 games since the trade.

"I don't know what Steve needs to do to prove he's a major league player to the club," Kusnick said. "He hasn't been told what he's done wrong and what he needs to work on. It hadn't been communicated to him through yesterday as far as I know. It's not like they sat him down and said, 'This is what we don't like about your game and work on it.' It's never been stated by anybody and that's frustrating because maybe if that happened the Orioles would get the player they're looking for."

Clevenger can play third and first base, and he was a shortstop in high school, but the Orioles want him focusing on his work behind the plate. He didn't take ground balls at any infield position in spring training.

"I met with the club at the Winter Meetings and they told me if he showed up in shape and worked hard at catching, he'd have a chance to make the club," Kusnick said. "In retrospect, I don't believe he was given a fair chance to crack the ballclub. Steve has proved everything he's needed to prove at Triple-A. It's just really frustrating to see a non-roster guy quote-unquote beat out Steve when Steve's stats were superior in every category. If you look, their careers are comparable. It comes down to Steve is a lefty and the Orioles don't have a lefty catcher with Wieters down.

"This happened last year with Caleb (Joseph) when they decided to go with him. It surprised me and I will be the first to admit it worked out because Caleb's done a very good job for them. And it may work out again. But it doesn't make much sense from where I am. Steve didn't get a chance to have significant playing time at the major league level.

"If there's not going to be a major league future for Steve in Baltimore, then I'd hope there certainly would be one elsewhere. He's earned it. I'm not saying he's entitled, but I think he's earned the right to stay in the big leagues. If it's in Baltimore, fantastic. Steve's from there and he loves it there. If not, then I'm sure if somebody calls and it makes sense, the Orioles would at least consider moving Steve like they do every transaction that comes across their desk."

The Tides played an exhibition last night against Norfolk State. Catcher Audry Perez had a single and double.

"Steve is already on his way to Triple-A and he'll do what he always does," Kusnick said. "He'll work hard to be an All-Star and that's great and speaks volumes about his makeup. I don't know what he needs to prove down there anymore than he's done. I thought last year would be the year it would come together for him, given the Orioles' injury issues. He's never really gotten an extended look in Baltimore and I wish I knew why."