Earlier today, the Orioles acquired Joe Saunders and cash from the Diamondbacks for Matt Lindstrom and a player to be named later. Here's the reaction to the trade from the principals involved:
- Orioles Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette told reporters, including Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com, that Saunders has been on his radar for quite a while. "He's a professional left-handed pitcher. We like his experience, which complements our starting rotation, which has three rookies, and I also like the fact that he's left-handed. It gives us better balance," Duquette said.
- Also in Dubroff's piece, Duquette insinuates Saunders may not simply be a late-season rental for the Orioles. "Joe Saunders is a local kid. Maybe he's with us beyond this year. That's something we can take a look at." Saunders was born and raised in Fairfax County, Virginia.
- Being close to family is a big draw for Saunders, according to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli. "I’m excited to get traded to a playoff contending team," said Saunders. "Plus my family is from there so I’ll get to go closer to home. I grew up an hour and a half south of Baltimore so it’s going to be exciting to hang out with them more and they’ll get a chance to see me pitch more."
- Saunders also took to his personal Twitter feed to thank the Diamondbacks' organization and to say he will miss the team, the fans, and the community.
- Lindstrom met with Baltimore reporters, including the Baltimore Sun's Dan Connolly, before leaving to join his new team. “Yeah, [I’m] surprised but also kind of excited. A little bittersweet, because the team here is doing so well."
After the Derek Lowe thing, Duquette is really dedicated to making sure everyone knows that he knows the handedness of pitchers he acquires, I guess.
I have mixed feelings about this trade. I like getting Saunders but I hate to give up Lindstrom. I also can’t help think that this is the O’s being a little cheap.
Lindstrom was pitching well and if they declined his option it might have seemed a purely financial move. So by trading him they are rid of the choice of paying a set up guy 4 million or making an unpopular choice .
Time will tell and Duquette proved me wrong on the Guthrie deal. And he has an eye for spotting talent . But if we claimed Saunders on waivers we could maybe have got him for only money ?
Who knows ? But in a world where the Dodgers just took on 260 million in payroll and the O’s didn’t even claim this guy when they had the chance makes me despair of us ever really being a force to be reckoned with again.
It’s been a great season far better than I could have imagined . Going to enjoy the rest of it regardless of what happens .
But long term I wonder about the ability of all but a few teams to compete. The new draft rules limit teams ability to build through the farm system and most elite players are signing extensions so even free agency isn’t the way to go for many teams.
I’m excited and happy for Dodger fans but it is my avowed hope that The Orioles are one day owned by someone who realizes the bottom line is winning , not the bottom line .
Here’s hoping ?????