Recapping a Busy Day for the Baltimore Orioles

Jul 31, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher

(32) celebrates with teammates after scoring in the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

July 31 was a very busy day for the Baltimore Orioles, as they made two trades, called up two players, DFA’d two players and then had to play a game.

And that game featuring another starting pitcher pitching miserably, leaving early and the team mounting a major comeback.

So, let’s recap it all.

The Orioles first deal of the day was sending Zach Davies to the Milwaukee Brewers for Gerardo Parra. Davies was one of the top O’s pitching prospects, but may not be as polished as Mike Wright (more on him later) or Tyler Wilson.

Parra is having the best season of his career. He was one of the best hitters in the National League this year, and hit over .430 in July. He is a Gold Glove defender and will bring some speed to the outfield as well.

Overall, I am a fan of this trade. Parra is a rental, which is the only downside, but the team may be able to resign him at the end of the year. Davies has never really pitched in the majors, and a prospect, even a highly-touted one, is only that, a prospect.

Then next trade was made at the 4 p.m. deadline, sending O’s bullpen mainstay Tommy Hunter to the Chicago Cubs for OF Junior Lake.

I don’t need to say much about Big Game Hunter. Tommy was an easy guy to root for, and outside of his stint as closer, was usually a reliable right handed reliever for the O’s. He has really cut down on his home runs allowed, which helped him a lot. This is the last year of his contract, so he is a rental going to Chitown.

Lake is a guy who has had a lot of success in AAA, but hasn’t really seen that carry over to the majors yet. However, I think he could be one of the many players competing for an Oriole roster spot next year, and will likely be called up in September.

DFA’d was Bud Norris and Chris Parmelee. Parmelee needed to go, as even his good defense couldn’t save him. He had about one good week at the plate, and with the position the O’s are in, they need more. Norris is a little tougher. He was very successful last year, but nothing came easy in 2015. After Thursday’s performance, this was also the right move. Bud is a classy guy though, and I wouldn’t shut the door on he or Hunter, both free agents, returning to Baltimore next year.

Called up for Friday’s game were two pitchers expected to stay with the Birds for awhile. Mike Wright came into the game after Wei-Yin Chen‘s abbreviated start, but had to leave the game due to a leg strain. That brought in converted shortstop Mychal Givens, who earned his first win as an Oriole with one and two-thirds innings, allowing one hit while striking out two.

On the field, it was another struggle, but the O’s got the game done. They also are now only one game behind the Twins for the second wild card spot, tied with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Saturday the O’s will likely get to see their newest acquisition play. Hopefully the starting pitching won’t require another large comeback from the hitters.