Odds Favor Orioles Not Trading Jonathan Villar Before Deadline; Brewers, Athletics, Giants All Given 5-2 Odds to Acquire Him
By Cole Shelton in MLB Baseball
Updated: March 25, 2020 at 4:01 pm EDTPublished:
- Sportsbooks favors Orioles keeping Jonathan Villar at the 2019 trade deadline
- The middle infielder can play multiple positions
- What’s the best bet in the latest MLB trade deadline props?
The Baltimore Orioles are a rebuilding club and one of their biggest assets is infielder Jonathan Villar. The 28-year-old shortstop/second baseman is currently batting a solid .248 with 12 home runs, 44 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.
But, what makes him so valuable is the fact that he can play all over the field, occasionally even filling in at third base during his six-year career. He would be easy to plug into a lineup for almost any playoff team.
Yet, he may not be traded, as sportsbooks favor the Orioles keeping him past the July 31 trade deadline.
What Team Will Jonathan Villar Be On After 2019 MLB Trade Deadline?
| Team | Villar Trade Odds |
|---|---|
| Baltimore Orioles | +125 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | +250 |
| Oakland Athletics | +250 |
| San Francisco Giants | +250 |
*Odds Taken 07/26/19
Are the Orioles a good bet?
Yes, the Baltimore Orioles are a good bet at this price to keep Jonathan Villar. He is important to their team and is still under team control in 2020 (Arbitration Year 3).
Recent reports make it seem unlikely that Baltimore will be able to get a good enough return to compel a trade.
Although it doesn’t seem likely he will be traded, it could make sense to trade him now instead of next trade deadline. Even though the return will not be one that gets them a top-100 prospect, they would still get more for him now then at next year’s deadline when he would be a rental.
But, I favor the Orioles keeping the infielder on their roster.
Pick: Baltimore Orioles (+125)
What other team provides value?
If the Baltimore Orioles do wind up trading Villar, the San Francisco Giants seems like the most-logical suitor. They are in the NL Wild-Card race still and have been red hot.
They are now expected to retain Madison Bumgarner, which means they might as well try to add a little to their underwhelming lineup. Villar makes sense as a backup infielder. Donovan Solano is currently backing up third, shortstop, and second base. He could also start over Joe Panik, as the current Oriole has had more success, though that has come in the AL East, where the ballparks are hitter-friendly.
With the Giants, Villar would add speed, defense, and, in the right circumstances, pinch-hitting. Right now, if someone from San Francisco’s infield gets hurt, they are lacking the depth to stay afloat, which is why they are targeting cheap-ish infielders like Villar.
Although I don’t think Villar gets traded, if he does, it seems likely it will be to the San Francisco Giants who are in on the 28-year-old.
Pick: San Francisco Giants (+250)
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Sports Writer
Cole graduated from Sheridan College in April of 2019 with a diploma in journalism. He now is a full-time freelance writer, focusing on MMA for sites like BJPENN, while also covering the Toronto Blue Jays as a credentialed media member. At SBD, Cole covers the four major sports and MMA.
