The trade deadline is one of the most anticipated parts of the baseball season. But, the Baltimore Orioles are likely to be quieter than their fans hope this year.
That isn’t due to lack of trying. The Orioles have been rumored to be interested in, or are scouting, players likeCole Hamels,Johnny Cueto,Carlos Gomez,Justin Upton, andJay Bruce.
Do you think any of these are coming to the O’s? If so, who are you trading?Kevin Gausman?Hunter Harvey?
One baseball writer says the Orioles, with the injuries to Hunter Harvey andDylan Bundy, have the worst farm system in baseball. I’d say it is hard to disagree with that.
Sure, the Orioles have been winning across their minor league affiliates this year. But the talent is not the same as what other organizations have. Especially when it comes to position players.
Bundy at this point is a high draft choice who may never make it anywhere, sadly. Gausman is unproven, as is Harvey, who has also dealt with injury issues.
Tyler WilsonandMike Wrightare not great trade chips.
That’s not to say the Orioles don’t have some players that will likely be good major leaguers. Players likeMike Yastrzemski,Trey Mancini,Josh Hart,Oliver Drake,Zach Davies,Dariel Alvarez,Mychal Givensand more.
But, I also believe the Orioles value some of the players more than other teams do. The Orioles clearly are getting things done, but it isn’t the same way that some other major league teams are doing it.
I think the O’s will make at least a few moves at the deadline. On Wednesday, they have to make a move to get Kevin Gausman in the rotation. My guess is that eitherRyan Flahertywill be sent down, since he has options, or thatChris Parmeleewill be designated for assignment.
I also think that a trade out of the bullpen could be coming. MaybeBrian Matusz, maybeTommy Hunter.
However, there is precedent to the Orioles making a significant deal around the deadline recently. In 2011,Koji Ueharawas traded to the Texas Rangers for Tommy Hunter and Chris Davis. They also tradedMike Gonzalezto the Rangers after the non-waiver deadline in August, gettingPedro Stropin return.
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In 2012, the Birds traded forJim Thomein June from the Philadelphia Phillies forGabriel LinoandKyle Simon. They also waited until after the non-waiver deadline and acquiredJoe Saundersfrom the Arizona Diamondbacks forMatt Lindstrom. Saunders would go on to be one of the team’s starters in the playoffs, including starting the first ever AL Wild Card game.
In 2013, the Orioles made deadline deals for pitching, bringing inBud NorrisforL.J. Hoes,Josh Haderand a competitive pick. They also tradedJake Arrietaand Pedro Strop forScott FeldmanandSteve Clevenger. Both of those trades don’t look very good at this point, but I wouldn’t second guess either of them.
The Birds also tradedNick Delmonicoto the Milwaukee Brewers forFrancisco Rodriguez, who did not fill the closer role the way the team expected.
Xavier Averywas also traded at the end of August forMichael Morse. That didn’t go well either.
In 2014, the team tradedEduardo Rodriguezto the Boston Red Sox forAndrew Millerat the last second of the trade deadline. This move paid big dividends, as Miller was absolutely spectacular down the stretch.
Two other deals were made at the end of August, tradingMark BlackmarandMiguel Chalasto the Chicago White Sox forAlejandro De Aza. Also, the O’s tradedIvan De JesusandJemile Weeksto the Boston Red Sox forMichael AlmanzarandKelly Johnson.
Look back at these deals. Of the minor leaguers the O’s traded, only Rodriguez has really had an impact on the major leaguers. However, out of all the players traded for only Chris Davis, Tommy Hunter and Bud Norris are in the major leagues for the Birds.
The last point I want to make is the moves made in the even years, 2012 and 2014, in hindsight look much better than those made in odd years.
Maybe based on that alone, the Orioles should stay put at the trade deadline this year.
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