More on Seth Smith and what could come next

Immediately after the Orioles tweeted the news yesterday that they acquired outfielder Seth Smith from the Mariners for pitcher Yovani Gallardo and cash considerations, my first thought turned to how the club made the announcement before it leaked to the media. When does this happen anymore?

There also was surprise that the Orioles traded one of their starters this month rather than later in the offseason. The math suggested that it eventually would happen, especially with the money committed to Gallardo, Ubaldo Jimenez and Wade Miley. However, they also valued their depth and could have played it safer and waited until February or March.

This looks like a good trade on the surface, with the Orioles getting their left-handed hitting corner outfielder with solid on-base skills.

Smith owns a career .344 OBP, exactly what the doctor ordered. He works counts. He has good at-bats. And he's got some pop with 16 home runs last season and 17 with the Rockies in 2010. He's reached double digits in seven of the last eight seasons.

The right fielders on the free agent market are underwhelming if you exclude Mark Trumbo, who's viewed more as a designated hitter in Baltimore. There are flaws in age, durability, OBP or defensive skills. And Smith is a one-year commitment. If he's a bust, you move on from him. Otherwise, the Orioles can attempt to re-sign him next winter.

It also works for me because the Orioles didn't surrender reliever Brad Brach, who's much too valuable in my opinion and whose loss would weaken a unit that's needed to cover for any rotation sins. They need a dominant bullpen to shorten games, and I'll take my chances with Brach, Zach Britton, Darren O'Day, Mychal Givens and Donnie Hart.

The Orioles won't need to move a starter into the bullpen as a long reliever unless it's someone like Tyler Wilson or Mike Wright, and they seem inclined to keep the latter in his current role. Logan Verrett is a top candidate to replace Vance Worley, though the Orioles haven't closed the door on re-signing the Vanimal.

Logan Ondrusek still can make the club while Brach remains on the roster, since the Orioles are down to five starters.

The one downside for me is how the Orioles may need to platoon Smith in right field. Weren't they already considering one in left again with Hyun Soo Kim? Joey Rickard has impressive speed, but he can't play left and right in the same game.

Rule 5 pick Aneury Tavarez bats from the left side. The other Rule 5 guy, Anthony Santander, is a switch-hitter trying to make the jump from Single-A and who may have to go on the disabled list following shoulder surgery.

A right-handed hitting outfielder would appear to be on executive vice president Dan Duquette's shopping list. However, after checking around yesterday, it seems that another left-handed hitter is a possibility. Either way, I've written in the past that Duquette sought multiple outfielders this winter. Plural, not singular. The Orioles can deal with the crowd if someone else is added to the mix.

Trumbo remains in the picture despite yesterday's trade. I keep stressing that he isn't tied to any decisions involving right field. The Orioles wanted a defensive upgrade and they got it with Smith.

Trumbo influences what the Orioles decide to do at designated hitter. They're not likely to carry Trumbo and Pedro Alvarez, who also projects mainly as a DH.

Smith's arrival doesn't automatically end any interest in Alvarez. The Orioles will take another left-handed bat, and they'd certainly have a spot for Alvarez if Trumbo signs with another team. But they may prefer someone who also can provide assistance in the field rather than a strict DH.

I'm also not convinced that the Orioles still need a leadoff hitter with Smith making only 80 starts atop the order. How many did Nick Markakis make before he became the leadoff hitter? The same question applies to Manny Machado and Adam Jones. Smith isn't a threat to steal bases, but the Orioles like that he knows how to reach them.

It's conceivable that the Orioles bat Smith first against right-handers and Rickard first against lefties. I'm not offering any predictions with the roster far from set, but it's one scenario that's in play. Let's see if there's another addition that provides a better fit.

The Brewers selected Gallardo with the fifth pick in the second round of the 2004 draft. The Rockies took Smith four picks later.

They were linked again yesterday.

Smith is 3-for-26 lifetime against Gallardo, in case they meet again. He's 9-for-19 with three doubles and a triple against Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello.

Smith is 4-for-7 with a home run off Wilson and 5-for-8 with a home run against Tommy Hunter, who's currently a free agent. He's 7-for-11 against former Oriole Jeremy Guthrie.