GREAT NEWS: Baltimore Orioles are reportedly set to land Veteran pitcher.
The Baltimore Orioles, who are battling the New York Yankees for American League East supremacy, are apparently preparing for the MLB trade deadline on July 30.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Orioles are “intently exploring” the trade market for bullpen help, and they may also be looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder.
According to Rosenthal, Orioles general manager Mike Elias has told opposing teams that he is interested in acquiring a starting pitcher, but that may not happen unless Baltimore’s staff suffers further ailments.
After going 101-61 last season and winning the AL East for the first time since 2014, the Orioles are 44-22 this season, 2.5 games behind the Yankees for the lead.
While the Orioles are ranked fourth in Major League Baseball with a bullpen ERA of 3.24 this season, they could use another strong reliever.
Félix Bautista, the Orioles’ closer last season and a contender for the Cy Young Award before his injury, will not pitch this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Baltimore replaced him as closer with 36-year-old veteran Craig Kimbrel, who has performed excellently, compiling a 2.70 ERA and converting 15 of 18 save opportunities.
Jacob Webb and Yennier Canó have both demonstrated the ability to perform in late-game situations, with 1.76 and 2.37 ERAs, respectively.
Baltimore’s biggest bullpen need may be a lefty, after top southpaw Danny Coulombe was placed on the injured list Tuesday due to elbow irritation.
Offensively, Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Jordan Westburg, Ryan Mountcastle, and Ryan O’Hearn are all having productive seasons, but Baltimore’s outfield performance has been missing.
Cedric Mullins, a one-time All-Star, is having a dreadful year with a.174 batting average, 24-year-old Colton Cowser is hitting just.230, Anthony Santander is second on the club with 14 home runs but is hitting only.224, and Austin Hays is hitting.234 with only two homers.
Despite these concerns, the Orioles have one of the best lineups in baseball, and adding a great righty bat to the outfield mix might make the lineup even deeper and more well-rounded.
The Orioles’ starting rotation has Corbin Burnes, Grayson Rodriguez, Kyle Bradish, and Cole Irvin, all of whom have ERAs of 3.27 or lower.
Dean Kremer, a solid fifth starter, is currently on the injured list with a triceps issue.
Baltimore has already lost two starting pitchers this season due to injury, Tyler Wells and John Means, and if one more starter suffers a significant injury, acquiring a starting pitcher will likely become a much more realistic option for the team.