Baltimore Orioles: As 2017 Slips Away, an Early Look at 2018 Pitching
By Nate Wardle
3. Likely Not Joining the Baltimore Orioles Roster
Arrieta, Bronson Arroyo, Clay Buchholz, Bartolo Colon, Yu Darvish, Felix Doubront, Edwin Jackson, Jimenez, Jurrjens, Kendrick, Miley, Noesi, Micah Owings, Sabathia, Hector Santiago, Nick Tepesch, Brayan Villarreal
The largest group of all are those likely not to join the Baltimore Orioles baseball team, for a myriad of reasons. If you look at the list, most of the names aren’t exactly appealing.
Several of these guys are former Orioles, and a return isn’t going to happen, sorry Arrieta fans. Sure, Arrieta always has good things to say about his time in Baltimore.
Could you imagine if he returned? Expectations would be enormous for him to repeat his numbers in Chicago, something he didn’t even do in 2017.
Plus, do you want Jackson, Jurrjens or Miley back? I didn’t think so.
Several are players who are well past their prime, and may not pass the Orioles’ physical (Arroyo, Buchholz, Sabathia). Others just aren’t close to being a starter in the major leagues at this point in their career.
Bartolo Colon appeared to be done in 2017, then resurrected himself with the Minnesota Twins. However, I can’t see his stuff working in Baltimore.
Darvish doesn’t fit any of those categories, but will widely be considered one of the top three starters available. He isn’t going to be pitching for the O’s in 2018.