MLB trade rumors: 5 pitchers Orioles need

3. Jeremy Hellickson

This one just feels like the type of acquisition the Orioles would make. Contact pitcher. Lots of fly balls. Results that do not align with those predicted by the advanced metrics. Lots of home runs. Who cares!

The Phillies were left holding the bag on Hellickson in 2017 after being too greedy with their trade demands for him last summer. Then he further disrupted their plans to flip him for something good by accepting the qualifying offer in the offseason. By now, the Phils have to be getting antsy with Hellickson. He has a 3.44 ERA so far this season, but has allowed nine home runs in 49.2 innings while striking out only 20.

Hellickson is taking the fly-ball approach to new heights with his changeup. He has thrown the pitch 250 times this season — almost as often as his fastball and sinker. Thrown at 82 mph, with good movement, the changeup has always been his best pitch, so he’s throwing it more often than ever before. It’s hard to argue with the results, as opponents are hitting .134 against Hellickson’s changeup. None of that is to say everything’s roses for Hellickson. Hitters are slugging .711 against his fastball.

The Orioles have had good success with pitchers like Hellickson since their resurgence began in 2012. Chris Tillman has a similar profile, as does Wade Miley. Baltimore will hardly be the only team interested in Hellickson, but they may not be as scared off by his profile as other contenders.