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MLB Trade Rumors: 5 players Orioles should acquire

By Joshua Sadlock

May 16, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) takes the ball to relieve relief pitcher Alec Asher (51) in the 11th inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) takes the ball to relieve relief pitcher Alec Asher (51) in the 11th inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (18) in the second inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (18) in the second inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Kenta Maeda

In only his second season since coming over from Japan, Kenta Maeda has struggled and lost his spot in the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation. The right-hander has shown signs of improvement since the end of April, and has mercifully gotten his ERA under 5.00. Maeda went 16-11 as a rookie with a 3.48 ERA and has solid strikeout numbers this season. His problem has been the home run.

The Dodgers gave Maeda an incentive-laden deal with only $25 million guaranteed over eight years. It’s a very low-risk, high-reward contract for any team interested in trading for him. If Maeda continues to pitch poorly, it’s only $3 million a year. If he pitches well and you have to pay him more, it’s still below market value for a frontline starter.

There are no strong indications that the Dodgers are going to aggressively shop Maeda at the deadline, but he is a name worth considering for the Orioles for several reasons. After the end of this season, Baltimore will have only two starting pitchers under contract, Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman. Gausman is pitching himself into a relief role and Bundy has a history of elbow and shoulder trouble. In a worst-case scenario, the Orioles need five new starters next season.

Maeda would at least offer the Orioles a somewhat stable option in the rotation for the future. He does not have ace potential, but Maeda does have upside as a number-two starter behind Bundy. At the very least, he can eat innings until the next group of potential Orioles starters mature in the minor leagues.

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