MLB Trade Deadline: 5 moves Orioles should make
Blow it up or add to the current roster — what should the Baltimore Orioles do at the MLB Trade Deadline?
For everyone involved with the Baltimore Orioles organization — all the way from the very upper levels of management down to the fanbase — defying expectations every year had begun to feel like a birthright. It still felt that way in the middle of May when the Orioles were sporting a 22-10 record. My, how things have changed in the three months that followed.
Orioles starting pitchers have been historically bad, often putting the offense in a 5-0 hole (or worse) by the end of the third inning. Even the best lineup cannot overcome being put behind the eight ball night in and night out. It also doesn’t help matters that Manny Machado has been the unluckiest hitter in the entire league this year.
With the trade deadline approaching in two weeks, the Orioles will have to have a stunning reversal of fortune to justify doing anything but selling off a few key pieces in an effort to reboot and get back to winning next year. It can be done, as evidenced by what the New York Yankees are doing this year. A complete teardown will not be in the cards because owner Peter Angelos is 88 and will not want to attempt to outlive another lengthy rebuilding process. Still, there is no reason the Orioles cannot be smart about the state of their franchise going forward.
Team Needs
- Young, controllable starting pitching
- MLB-ready infielders
- Corner outfielder
- Did I mention starting pitching?
- Enough common sense not to be a buyer
Top Trade Chips
- All-Star third baseman Manny Machado
- All-Star closer Zach Britton
- All-Star setup man Brad Brach
- Catcher Welington Castillo