The Orioles have already made a number of notable strikes within the lead-up to the commerce deadline. They despatched outfielder Austin Hays to the Phillies for fellow outfielder Cristian Pache and reliever Seranthony Domínguez, and likewise bolstered their rotation by buying Zach Eflin from the Rays. However they nonetheless have work to do, with Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reporting that they wish to add one other reliever, who would ideally be left-handed, in addition to a right-handed hitting outfielder to interchange Hays and maybe one other beginning pitcher.
Even with Eflin slotting in behind Corbin Burnes and Grayson Rodriguez, it’s straightforward to see why the O’s would need to add one more arm into that blend. The ultimate two rotation spots are at the moment held by Dean Kremer and Albert Suárez, each of whom may very well be improved upon.
Kremer has a servicebale 4.32 earned run common in his profession and a 4.20 mark this yr, however his .240 batting common on balls in play right here in 2024 may be retaining that ERA artificially low. Generally, he’s been extra of a back-end man than the kind of arm they might need within the combine for beginning a playoff sport. Suárez is within the huge leagues for the primary time since 2017, having spent a lot of the interim pitching in Japan and Korea. His 3.48 ERA this yr is actually respectable however he’s 34 years previous and the O’s have kicked him to the bullpen earlier than.
Rosenthal provides that the membership is prepared so as to add a rental starter to that pile, itemizing Jack Flaherty, Yusei Kikuchi, Blake Snell and Frankie Montas as attainable matches. Snell has one other yr left on his deal however has an opt-out at yr’s finish. Rosenthal says groups expect him to set off that opt-out however it’s not a assure, because it’s totally attainable some harm or poor efficiency results in him taking the proverbial chicken within the hand. Buying and selling gamers with opt-outs is a difficult state of affairs that MLBTR’s Anthony Franco not too long ago explored in a chunk for Entrance Workplace subscribers.
The point out of Flaherty is fascinating because the O’s acquired him finally yr’s deadline and it didn’t go nicely. The righty had a 6.75 ERA in 34 2/3 innings with Baltimore final yr, getting bumped to the bullpen within the course of.
Nonetheless, he has utterly turned issues round right here in 2024. In 18 begins with the Tigers, he has a 2.95 ERA, 32% strikeout price, 4.6% stroll price and 43% floor ball price. That’s the most effective type he’s been in since 2019, when he breaking out as one of many higher pitchers within the league. He then suffered by way of numerous injury-marred seasons and took a while getting over them, however there’s no doubting he’s been wonderful this yr.
Entrance places of work are typically loath to reacquire a participant in the event that they already had him and it didn’t go nicely. If the second try additionally fails to ship, then it invitations the plain criticism of why they tried the identical factor that already didn’t work as soon as, one thing that was not too long ago mentioned on the MLBTR Podcast. Nonetheless, Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo of The Athletic printed a column a number of days in the past that stated the O’s aren’t ruling out one other run at Flaherty.
Although there’s an opportunity for a damaging PR state of affairs if Flaherty struggles in Baltimore once more, he’s bought the most effective mixture of expertise and availability amongst beginning pitchers. He’s on a one-year deal and subsequently a rental, pitching for a Detroit membership that’s 5.5 video games out of a playoff spot. Whereas pitchers like Garrett Crochet and Tarik Skubal are in an analogous vary as Flaherty when it comes to affect, they could be more durable to pry unfastened.
Each of Skubal and Crochet are controllable for 2 years behind this season, that means the worth will likely be larger. Crochet additionally has the additional complication of his unclear path to the top of the season, as his restricted workload makes it unclear what he can contribute. Some golf equipment might need to transfer him to a reduction function however Crochet himself reportedly prefers to proceed beginning and would need to signal a contract extension previous to adjusting his routine.
With the query marks round Skubal and Crochet, it is smart that the O’s aren’t crossing Flaherty off their listing of targets, as the opposite choices are much less interesting. Kikuchi and Montas are having okay however not wonderful years, to differing extents, whereas Snell has been inconsistent and likewise has the aforementioned contract issues.
Turning to the bullpen, although Domínguez is a pleasant addition, additional upgrades make loads of sense. Baltimore relievers have a collective 3.87 ERA this yr, which locations them 14th out of the 30 golf equipment within the majors. With Danny Coulombe on the injured listing, their southpaw contingent is made up of Cionel Pérez, Keegan Akin and Cole Irvin. Akin has actually good numbers this yr however hasn’t been pitching in lots of high-leverage conditions. Pérez has been given extra significant assignments however with a subpar 4.40 ERA. Irvin was within the rotation earlier than some struggles bought him nudged into a protracted reduction function.
Upgrading that group is loads wise and the O’s have already been related to Tanner Scott of the Orioles. Different lefties that may very well be accessible embody Andrew Chafin of the Tigers, Jalen Beeks of the Rockies, Taylor Rogers of the Giants and others.
Within the outfield, the membership leans closely left-handed with Hays now out of the combination. Pache is right-handed however he’s principally a defensive specialist, having hit .179/.243/.272 in his profession. Anthony Santander is a switch-hitter however every of Cedric Mullins, Colton Cowser, Heston Kjerstad and Kyle Stowers hit from the left facet, as does designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn and shortstop Gunnar Henderson.
Getting one other righty in there is smart, particularly in the event that they find yourself transferring on from first baseman Ryan Mountcastle. They’re reportedly open to buying and selling him and/or Mullins, although sending out Hays maybe makes these eventualities much less doubtless.
Rosenthal throws out veterans Tommy Pham and Kevin Pillar as a few righty-swinging outfielders that would make sense for the O’s, although guys like Brent Rooker, Luis Robert Jr., Lane Thomas, Miguel Andujar and Taylor Ward may be accessible. The commerce deadline is 5pm Central on Tuesday July 30.
