Orioles sign Cave to 2023 contract

Outfielder Jake Cave is no longer eligible for arbitration.

The Orioles reduced their list today by agreeing to terms with Cave on a split contract for the 2023 season, with his salary determined by whether he’s in the majors or minors.

Cave was claimed off waivers from the Twins on Oct. 11, the Orioles’ second roster move following the season. They designated reliever Jake Reed for assignment and the Red Sox claimed him.

Cave, 29, appeared in 54 games with the Twins and batted .213/.260/.384 with seven doubles, three triples, five home runs and 20 RBIs in 177 plate appearances. He’s a career .235/.297/.411 hitter in parts of five major league seasons.

The Yankees selected Cave in the sixth round of the 2011 draft out of Kecoughtan High School in Hampton, Va. The Reds chose him in the 2015 Rule 5 draft and returned him on April 5, 2016. The Yankees traded Cave to the Twins on March 16, 2018 for pitcher Luis Gil.

As a rookie in 2018, Cave batted .265/.313/.473 with 16 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs and 45 RBIs in 91 games. He hasn’t played a full season in the majors, with the 91 games representing his career high.

The Orioles have a well-stocked outfield with Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander, Austin Hays, Ryan McKenna, Kyle Stowers, Yusniel Diaz and Terrin Vavra on the 40-man roster and 2021 first-round draft pick Colton Cowser poised to make his major league debut next summer. Vavra also is a candidate to play second base next season.

MLBTradeRumors.com projected that Cave would receive $1.2 million in arbitration.

Santander, Mullins, Hays, shortstop Jorge Mateo, catcher Cam Gallagher and pitchers Dillon Tate and Austin Voth are eligible for arbitration. Catcher Aramis Garcia, claimed off waivers from the Reds, also was on the list but the Orioles outrighted him to Triple-A Norfolk and he became a free agent today after declining the assignment.

Pitcher Chris Ellis also declined his outright assignment and entered free agency. The Orioles re-signed him last March and he underwent season-ending shoulder surgery on May 4.

* The Arizona Fall League announced that outfielder Heston Kjerstad and pitcher Noah Denoyer will play in Sunday’s Fall Stars Game.

Kjerstad, who also will participate in Saturday’s Home Run Derby, is batting .353/.385/.624 with eight doubles, five home runs and 17 RBIs in 19 games with Scottsdale.

Denoyer has made six appearances (five starts) and posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with 11 walks and 21 strikeouts in 20 innings. Opponents are batting .227 against him.