Orioles: 3 players who won’t be on the roster by August 1

Orioles rumors: Bryan Baker will be replaced by a trade deadline acquisition before August 1

In a postseason bullpen, every pitcher has their role. The same can be said for any team in recent memory as analytics have taken over the game. There are power right-handed pitchers, 8th-inning guys, lefty specialists and high-leverage guys. There are strikeout pitchers that can be brought in for specific jams when a K is needed. But a few players don’t really fit this mold of having a specific role where they are there just to eat innings.

These players often end up replaced on postseason rosters, where every pitcher matters. Bryan Baker finds himself in the middle of the Baltimore bullpen without a true role. Although he averages over ten K/9, he still isn’t their go-to strikeout pitcher. He’s not their 8th or 9th-inning guy and he doesn’t provide a true lefty specialist that can be used against the game’s best left-handed hitters.

This lack of a true specialty is exactly why the Orioles will likely be able to comfortably upgrade from Baker at the deadline. There are a ton of available relievers on the market that can serve a better purpose for the first place O’s compared to Baker. Orioles’ fans have been out in uproar, calling for his replacement. They may just get their wish before the August 1st trade deadline.