Baltimore Orioles Acquire Former Rule Five Pick Logan Verrett

A week before the Rule 5 draft, the Baltimore Orioles have brought Logan Verrett, a former Rule 5 pick that they lost, back to the organization via a trade with the New York Mets.

Logan Verrett, a 26-year-old right hander, was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the Rule 5 draft in 2015. However, the team chose to keep Jason Garcia, who they believed had a higher ceiling, and Verrett was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers, who eventually gave him back to the Mets.

In 2015, Verrett went 1-2 in 18 games, with a 3.59 ERA in 47.2 innings pitched.

In 2016, Verrett pitched in 35 games for the Mets, mainly out of their bullpen since the team is loaded with talented arms. Verrett went 3-8 with a 5.20 ERA in 91.2 innings. Verrett started 12 games, and finished ten others, mainly in mop-up duty.

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Verrett allowed an absurd 16 home runs in 2016, a number he will certainly need to reduce in 2017 if he wants to stay in the major leagues. Verrett does have one option remaining.

What Verrett, who is still on his rookie contract, means for the team could mean many things. It could make Vance Worley expendable, as both are right-handed and were long relievers in 2016. Verrett also would be considerably cheaper than what Worley is projected to be through arbitration.

Verrett is not arbitration-eligible until 2019, so he is certainly a cheaper alternative for the Orioles.

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Personally, I like the move. Verrett pitched well for the Orioles in spring training in 2015, and will have a chance to earn a spot either as a starter or a long reliever in 2017.