How does Jorge Mateo fit into the Orioles’ long term plans?

Not every player that takes part in a full-scale rebuild is created equal. For every Chance Sisco or Pat Valaika there is a Jonathan Villar and a José Iglesias. But for those players that do find success it is normal to wonder if that player is part of the solution, or just the best of a subpar bunch.

In some cases, that answer is rather obvious. There was little doubt, even at the time, that Villar, Iglesias, Freddy Galvis, and the like were just stopgap options. Routinely signing a cheap veteran player with a plan to flip them for a modest return makes some sense for a team looking to build up their minor league ranks. But the Orioles went a different route at the shortstop position this…