Baltimore Orioles Spring Training: Six Bold Predictions

Sep 22, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher

(58) pitches against the New York Yankees during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Both Brian Matusz and Ryan Webb are traded at end of spring training …

Just run the numbers. The Orioles cannot possibly keep all of the talented relievers they have. Zach Britton, Tommy Hunter and Darren O’Day are certainties. How can Brad Brach not be kept unless he pitches himself out of a spot with a horrible spring? And then there is T.J. McFarland who really helped the Orioles out of a lot of difficult situations a year ago.

As well, the Birds have secured lefty Wesley Wright. And there are others – some top minor league talent knocking on the door as well.

And then there is Brian Matusz. It is not as if he did not pitch well, especially in the latter portions of the 2014 season. It would seem that he has found a successful niche in the bullpen. But the Orioles are stretching him out this spring. Why? It is not like they are fearful of not having enough starters and need more fallback options. Could it be that they are getting him ready for a trade to a team that needs another starter … like … right when the season is about to begin?

And also Ryan Webb, in the second year of his $4.5 million contract. He cannot be optioned as in 2014. Perhaps he too could be a trade candidate at the end of a successful spring season, again, to a team needing veteran relief help.

Even so, it would seem that there is room for at least one of these two, and maybe that is what happens in terms of deals – one goes and one stays … but there is another storyline …

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