Steve Clevenger

The Orioles were content to open the year with Clevenger as their backup, but shortly after Matt Wieters hit the DL with elbow troubles in May, the team traded for Nick Hundley, promoted Caleb Joseph and sent Clevenger back to Triple-A Norfolk. Clevenger would return shortly before the All-Star break and ride the shuttle between Norfolk and Baltimore the rest of the way, finishing the year with a wholly underwhelming .626 OPS in 35 games (97 PA) and just 14 at-bats in the second half. He has shown an ability to draw walks and get on base at a good clip in the minors (.371 OBP in 760 Triple-A plate appearances), but hasn't been able to touch lefties in the majors (.125/.146/.175) and the power is virtually non-existent. Wieters is expected to be ready for spring training and Joseph figures to open as the No. 2 option, meaning Clevenger will likely head back to Norfolk to begin 2015.

Clevenger missed the first two months of 2013 with an oblique injury and was traded to Baltimore, where he missed more time with injury. He finally got a chance to back up Matt Wieters at the very end of the season and figures to enter 2014 as the favorite to win the same role. Clevenger has a knack for getting on base, collecting an OBP just under .400 over his last three minor league seasons, but he had a pedestrian season at the plate when he was the backup for the Cubs in 2012. If the Orioles are truly willing to listen to trade offers for Wieters, a more prominent role is possible for Clevenger.

Clevenger beat out Welington Castillo for the backup job last spring and started off strong only to see his production fall off a cliff as the season went on. He finished with a .201/.260/.276 line in 190 at-bats and as such might not even secure the backup job with the Cubs' addition of Dioner Navarro in free agency over the winter. Unless the Cubs opt to carry three catchers, Clevenger may be headed back to Triple-A Iowa.

Backup catcher - above average bat for a reserve backstop.