The Baltimore Orioles are a team that is struggling in a major way, and while the team isn’t done, there are very few signs of the team turning it around, either.
It is next to impossible to consider that theBaltimore Orioleswere the best team in baseball just over a month ago.
Since then, the team has imploded.
Starting pitching has been miserable outside ofDylan Bundy. Relief pitching has suffered from injuries and a weak middle bullpen, which has often been needed due to the subpar starting pitching.
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Many people are saying the Orioles should turn toward rebuilding. That may be a bit premature, but it is worth a look.
So, let’s take a look.
Untouchable players (on the 40-man roster): 1BTrey Mancini, 2BJonathan Schoop, OF/DHMark Trumbo, SP Dylan Bundy, RPMychal Givens, SPChris Lee, SPJesus Liranzo, SPGabriel Ynoa, SPAlec Asher
For position players, that’s it.Chance Siscoisn’t on the 40-man roster. I’d keep Joseph as your reliable backup but offer Castillo to anyone who wants him, and when healthy he has been excellent this year.
I would also be willing to tradeChris Davisif you could find someone to take him. The defense is a plus, and so is the power. But the contract looks bad and the strikeouts, especially this season, look worse.
J.J. Hardyis likely gone at the end of the year if his contract doesn’t vest, and all Oriole fans should hope it doesn’t. Let’s offer him up and see if someone wants a still good defensive shortstop.
I don’t have any reason to keepSeth Smith,Hyun Soo KimorJoey Rickard. Smith and Kim are on short contracts, with Kim a free agent after 2017, so if you are going to rebuild they aren’t necessary.
Adam Jonesis a bit more complicated, as this guy is arguably the face of the Orioles. But, he is getting older, and more injury prone as well.Cedric Mullinshas emerged as the center fielder of the future. Could Jones be a valuable piece as a leader? Yes. But, the Orioles didn’t payNick Markakisto do that (which in hindsight was a bad decision), so why Jones.
Manny Machadois the first person I would try to trade. Teams will look past his terrible 2017 at the plate and realize he is a top ten player in baseball. The Orioles need pitching. This is how you can get it.
As for pitching, many of these guys are gone at the end of the year as it is, and it is probably a good thing. I would probably pick upWade Miley‘s option, whileUbaldo JimenezandChris Tillmango. It is a sad fall from grace for Tillman, who has not been good.
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I would be willing to tradeKevin Gausmanbecause I don’t know if he can turn it around in Baltimore. I don’t get it. He was fantastic to end 2016. Is it a different pitching coach? Maybe. Is it the pressure of being an Opening Day starter? Shouldn’t be. Is it in his head? Possibly. I don’t know. His value has never been lower, nor has his ability.
As for the bullpen, you have some tough choices. I’m tradingZach Britton, knowing he is a top closer. That means that you can try to makeBrad Brachthe closer long-term, or trade him as well. If it is a real fire sale, you don’t need a closer and trade Brach.Darren O’Daycan close (another bad contract) or Mychal Givens, who I would build the bullpen around.
Now, there aren’t replacements at every position in the minor leagues, but keeping only the untouchables and some other bench type players, let’s look at what the 25-man roster would look like after the trade deadline if I were general manager.
Also, I am getting rid of Ubaldo. I’ll eat that contract. I’m also not even considering players whose contracts are wrapping up. In a real world, they would likely not be going anywhere, but I’m planning for the future:
Catcher:Chance Sisco,Caleb Joseph
Infield:Trey Mancini, Jonathan Schoop,Ryan Flaherty,Drew Dosch,Ruben Tejada(Ryan Mountcastleisn’t ready yet (but should be promoted to Double-A Bowie), so Flaherty plays shortstop, Dosch at third base. Tejada as a utility infielder.Chris Johnsonwould also be a good fit as a DH)
Outfield:Joey Rickard,Craig Gentry,Anthony Santander,Mike Yastrzemski
Starting Rotation:Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman, Wade Miley, Alec Asher, Gabriel Ynoa
Bullpen:Darren O’Day, Mychal Givens,Donnie Hart,Mike Wright,Jimmy Yacabonis,Richard Bleier,Logan Verrett,Miguel Castro
This team allows players who need more seasoning to get it in the minor leagues while promoting players who deserve to have a chance to show what they can do.
One would hope that if the Orioles traded players like Machado, Davis, Jones,Welington Castilloand more, it would provide at least one major league caliber starting pitcher, and another who would be ready in 2018.
If it is really time to blow up the Orioles, the team needs to make a cornerstone building trade, like the one made to acquire Jones and Tillman.
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No, it didn’t end up in a World Series win. But, it restored the Orioles to respectability.
Now is time to transform the Orioles into a young team with the pieces to compete for a World Championship, even if takes a few years to get there.
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