It took more than half the season, but Jay Payton is getting what he wanted: playing time.
After the Orioles’ most experienced outfielder opened the season as a reserve, Payton finally received a break when center fielder Adam Jones suffered one.
Jones, who is one of the team’s cornerstones for the future, may be out for the season after breaking a bone in his left foot last week, putting him on the 15-day disabled list. Now, it’s Payton’s turn to prove he can be just as productive as Jones, who was batting .279 with seven homers and 50 RBIs in 108 games.
“That’s been my thing all along: I either wanted an opportunity to play or an opportunity to go somewhere and have a chance to get into the playoffs,” he said. “If you can do both, that’s great. But right now, I’m getting the opportunity to play and that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
So far, so good. Since Jones’ injury, Payton has gone 8-for-23 (.348) with five runs scored and an on-base percentage of .423. Payton’s performance in the next few games weeks will be scrutinized. The 35-year-old who is a free agent after the season could be coveted be a contending team looking to trade prospects for an experienced hitter who has played in the World Series.
“I’ve been around a long time now. I don’t worry about it. It’s baseball,” Payton said. “I’m doing what I love to do, and hopefully things will work out for the best.”
Orioles manager Dave Trembley has tried to get Payton in the lineup, which is difficult considering the team has three young outfielders — Nick Markakis, Luke Scott and Jones — who are each under 30 years old and are the team’s foundation.
“[Payton] just wants to play,” Trembley said. “I dare say I’ve had to spend an awful lot of time since early in spring training having to remind him that Markakis, Jones and Luke Scott were going to be the three guys out there, But he has a place on this club that would be of value.”
This season, Payton is hitting .251 with 36 runs batted-in, six home runs and a .292 on-base percentage.
“He’s been a pinch runner, he’s been a late-inning defensive replacement, he’s been a platoon player, he’s been a starter. He’s done all those things,” Trembley said. “He has experience so he’s been a valuable guy here.”
