Headlines

  • Mets Option Brett Baty, Mark Vientos
  • Cardinals To Select Jordan Walker
  • Luke Voit Opts Out Of Minor League Deal With The Brewers
  • Mets Sign Dylan Bundy To Minor League Deal
  • Reds Acquire Will Benson From Guardians
  • Cardinals Sign Miles Mikolas To Two-Year Extension
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Orioles Interested In Joe Saunders

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | December 29, 2011 at 3:08pm CDT

The Orioles have had several conversations with Joe Saunders' representatives, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Legacy Sports represents the left-hander, who is a Falls Church, VA native.

Saunders, 30, posted a 3.69 ERA with 4.6 K/9, 2.8 BB/9 and a 44.5% ground ball rate in 212 innings this past season. He has averaged 200 innings per season since 2008 without striking out more than five batters per nine innings in any of the past four seasons. The former 12th overall pick had an average fastball velocity of 89.6 mph in 2011.

The Rockies, Marlins, Red Sox and Tigers also appear to have some interest in Saunders, who was non-tendered by the Diamondbacks earlier in the month. Saunders and Jeremy Guthrie would provide the Orioles with a pair of solid but unspectacular innings eaters atop their rotation. Tsuyoshi Wada, Tommy Hunter, Zach Britton, Brian Matusz and Dana Eveland are other possibilities for Baltimore's rotation.

Share 0 Retweet 23 Send via email0

Baltimore Orioles Joe Saunders

Poll: Which Team Will Sign Ryan Madson?
Main
Blue Jays Close To Signing Darren Oliver
View Comments (49)

Comments

  1. Os84

    11 years ago

    I don’t want him either unless he signs a cheap deal. 

    Reply
    • CandyMaldonadoLand

      11 years ago

      like 10 bucks per IP?

      Reply
  2. Eric Haines

    11 years ago

    Jake Arrieta should be in the rotation mix as well.

    Reply
    • Andrew Fichter

      11 years ago

      I think this was a miss, Arrieta is not only in the mix but I’d say he’s a lock for a rotation spot along with Britton and Wada. Matusz will likely secure himself a spot in spring training, assuming 2011 really was an aberration and he’s not actually that terrible. Fingers crossed. 

      Reply
      • danistheguy

        11 years ago

        Yup, he’s more in the mix than Brian Matusz. Clear miss here.

        Reply
        • Jim Carter

          11 years ago

          Couldn’t agree more!

      • Rabbitov

        11 years ago

        Tillman, Simon, Troy Patton, Brad Bergeson, and even some of the other AAA pitchers (Vandenhurk?) are also all in the mix.  Right now Guthrie is the only definite, unless he is traded, for the rotation.  Everyone else has to earn those spots.

        Reply
        • rockfordone

          11 years ago

          Sad group = last place

        • Dave

          11 years ago

          You forgot Tommy Hunter. I’m pretty sure he has a spot in the rotation. Hopefully the Orioles can get him in shape. I haven’t seen a girth like his in an Orioles uniform since David Wells.

  3. FreshMintt

    11 years ago

    Uh oh I think I smell a new playoff contender

    Reply
    • Rabbitov

      11 years ago

      You can make fun, but I wouldn’t feel all that good about what’s happening in St. Louis.  

      Reply
      • bayareabeast

        11 years ago

        besides the world series they just won…

        Reply
  4. blurnandez

    11 years ago

    I think that the O’s or Sox should definitely bring Saunders on board!

    – Signed, 

    The Rest of the AL East

    Reply
    • Popular_mechanics_for_pitchers

      11 years ago

      Your sense of humor is blurred

      Reply
      • blurnandez

        11 years ago

        There was no joke. 

        I really think that the Sox or Orioles should sign Saunders. 

        Reply
    • rockfordone

      11 years ago

      Amen

      Reply
  5. noah perry

    11 years ago

    go get him o’s dan really is not lying he is telling the truth joe is great for us

    Reply
  6. Guest

    11 years ago

    Baltimore?……..well, they try hard……….

    Reply
    • rockfordone

      11 years ago

      Don’t forget every team in the majors will win 60 and lose 60, its the other 43 that count –  the O’s its – 5-38 – thus 65-98 and last place = good draft choice and alot of money

      Reply
      • Dave

        11 years ago

        Hey… at least they’re not the Athletics?

        Reply
  7. blueandwhite89

    11 years ago

    Gave up 29 HR last year in 212 innings. Plus he has a WHIP around 1.3-1.5 every season. The AL East will crush him. But if its a low cost it will make sense for baltimore. Just expect an ERA in the 4.5-5 range. Still 180 or so inning probably.

    Reply
    • dudemanbro

      11 years ago

      kind of amazing how he had a 44.5%GB rate and still gave up 29 HRs

      Reply
      • James Attwood

        11 years ago

        He pitched in Chase Field, a homer heaven and also has trouble pitching around batters. So when he fell behind in the count, hitters would tee off. He’s actually VERY good at keeping the ball down most of the time. But when he makes a mistake with that average fastball of his, it’s an easy mistake to crush. I do know one thing. The man seems to be able to dial up double plays at will when he needs them.

        Saunders is not a stellar pitcher. But he is a very servicable, solid, dependable one. You always know what you are going to get at the worst and can occasionally be surprised at him suddenly pitching at his best. When he’s at his best, he’s QUITE good.

        His consistency simply lead to his arbitration value being far higher than what his perceived market value was at the time. The Dbacks tried to compromise with him, but he wanted a three year deal and the Dbacks are not in need of a three year vet at that price.

        He can likely get what he is looking for in Baltimore, and Camden will be friendlier by far than Chase Field. The AL East is a beast in hitting, but there really aren’t any pitchers left that make anyone feel warm and fuzzy against those lineups. Baltimore will be overpaying for him slightly if they sign him, but they might just be best served to put a stablizing presence like him in the middle of their rotation.

        Reply
    • Dave

      11 years ago

      I’d rather have Saunders than a good portion of the clowns the Orioles trotted out last year. Mitch Atkins? Jakubauskas? Jo-Jo Reyes? I like the idea of having Guthrie, Saunders, and Hunter in the rotation. Hopefully all three can save the dreadful bullpen.

      Reply
  8. niched

    11 years ago

    Forget Saunders. Get Edwin Jackson or Roy Oswalt

    Reply
    • Dave

      11 years ago

      Oswalt wants to do a one year deal so that he can prove himself to get a better deal. Maybe it’s just me, but if I really wanted to prove myself, I would probably stay the heck away from Camden Yards (and the AL East, for that matter). Jackson is intriguing though. Something tells me the Orioles will overpay for him expecting him to be an ace or the #2 starter.

      Reply
      • niched

        11 years ago

        Agree with everything you say actually

        Reply
      • Jack

        11 years ago

        Edwin Jackson is looking for big money, but has never put together a season based on what he is capable of. He should do a one season deal and pitch his mind out and then get his money.

        Reply
    • Eric Foster

      11 years ago

      I think they’re better waiting a couple years, letting Machado and Bundy develop a core, and passing up expensive options in a below average crop of available free agents.

      Reply
      • niched

        11 years ago

        True, except that you can’t count on even Machado and Bundy to be sure fire can’t miss sure things, at least not right away.  The O’s need to do something in the near future, kind of like the Nats have been doing since last year.  If Matusz bounces back next year (and that’s a big if I know) then the O’s could make things a bit interesting if they also had someone like EJ on the team, especially if Wieters continues his ascendance.  Frankly, I’d rather see the O’s sign Chen than Jackson, but why not try and get both?

        Reply
        • Dave

          11 years ago

          I’d go after Jackson just because he’s more of a sure thing. You never know how international pitchers (particularly those from Asia) are going to translate over to the majors. But then again, the Orioles do need to make some bold moves if they want to earn some respect. Maybe Chen’s a way to do it if they can get him to commit to more than 3 years (because the Orioles are not contending until 2014 at the earliest IMO).

      • Dave

        11 years ago

        This is a bad off-season for splurging. Lord am I glad the Orioles stayed the heck away from CJ Wilson.

        Reply
  9. Unplucked Sports

    11 years ago

    Alright, Falls Church! Always nice to see some homegrown, inside-the-Beltway talent. Northern VA keeps a close watch on locals like Jeff Baker, too.  He might make sense for the Nats over someone more expensive and with some injury history like Oswalt. Baltimore makes sense, too, if that’s where the money is. 

    Reply
  10. Runtime

    11 years ago

    lol dana eveland

    Reply
  11. Matthew

    11 years ago

    Meh, there are worse starters like BergTilPatMatLand. As long as its not for more than a couple mil a year. The Orioles may be able to field an entire 40-man roster of mediocre to subpar starting pitchers next season.

    Reply
  12. Guest

    11 years ago

    at least they have a bunch of 4 and 5’s they can trade at deadline time

    Reply
  13. Damon Bowman

    11 years ago

    The bigger problem with signing Saunders to pitch with the O’s is he has terrible career numbers against the AL East.  Against the Yanks, Sox, Jays & Rays his WHIP is 1.48 and ERA is 4.75 in 140 innings.  Those numbers are dreadful and from a rather substantial sample size.  There’s a much better option out there for the O’s in Edwin Jackson.  He should come at a slightly higher price but his upside is better and he’s 2 years younger.

    Reply
    • Jack

      11 years ago

      Slightly higher? He wants 5 years 15M a year money.

      Reply
  14. ernie kyger

    11 years ago

    he’s actually from springfield, va, and he has a very good track record pitching at camden yards

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Mets Option Brett Baty, Mark Vientos

    Cardinals To Select Jordan Walker

    Luke Voit Opts Out Of Minor League Deal With The Brewers

    Mets Sign Dylan Bundy To Minor League Deal

    Reds Acquire Will Benson From Guardians

    Cardinals Sign Miles Mikolas To Two-Year Extension

    Keston Hiura Will Not Make Brewers’ Roster

    Rhys Hoskins Diagnosed With Torn ACL, Will Undergo Surgery

    Jed Lowrie Announces Retirement

    Jose Altuve To Miss About Two Months Due To Thumb Surgery

    Rockies Sign Jurickson Profar

    Braves Option Vaughn Grissom, Braden Shewmake

    Jose Altuve Leaves WBC Game After Hit By Pitch

    Edwin Diaz Undergoes Surgery To Repair Patellar Tendon

    Out Of Options 2023

    Cade Cavalli To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Edwin Diaz Helped Off Field With Right Knee Injury

    José Quintana Out Until At Least July Due To Rib Surgery

    Trevor Bauer Signs With NPB’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars

    Craig Stammen “Highly Unlikely” To Pitch Again Following Shoulder Injury

    Recent

    Guardians Acquire Steve Hajjar From Reds To Complete Will Benson Trade

    Joey Votto May Begin Season On Injured List

    Rockies To Select Mike Moustakas, Ty Blach, Harold Castro

    Mets Option Brett Baty, Mark Vientos

    Cardinals To Select Jordan Walker

    Cardinals Select Taylor Motter; Option Juan Yepez, Génesis Cabrera And JoJo Romero

    Twins Release Six Players

    Robert Suarez Likely Headed To Injured List

    Giants To Select Roberto Pérez

    Luke Voit Opts Out Of Minor League Deal With The Brewers

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Offseason Outlook Series
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • MLB Player Chats
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version