Headlines

  • Kirby Yates Nearing Deal With Blue Jays
  • Mets Fire GM Jared Porter
  • Padres To Acquire Joe Musgrove In 3-Team Trade
  • Nationals To Sign Jon Lester
  • Phillies Sign Archie Bradley
  • Yankees, Corey Kluber Agree To Deal
  • 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 Indians
      • 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
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • 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
49 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. Os84

    9 years ago

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

    Like
    Reply
    • CandyMaldonadoLand

      9 years ago

      like 10 bucks per IP?

      Like
      Reply
  2. Eric Haines

    9 years ago

    Jake Arrieta should be in the rotation mix as well.

    Like
    Reply
    • Andrew Fichter

      9 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. 

      Like
      Reply
      • danistheguy

        9 years ago

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

        Like
        Reply
        • Jim Carter

          9 years ago

          Couldn’t agree more!

          Like
          Reply
      • Rabbitov

        9 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.

        Like
        Reply
        • rockfordone

          9 years ago

          Sad group = last place

          Like
          Reply
        • Dave

          9 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.

          Like
          Reply
  3. FreshMintt

    9 years ago

    Uh oh I think I smell a new playoff contender

    Like
    Reply
    • Rabbitov

      9 years ago

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

      Like
      Reply
      • bayareabeast

        9 years ago

        besides the world series they just won…

        Like
        Reply
  4. blurnandez

    9 years ago

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

    – Signed, 

    The Rest of the AL East

    Like
    Reply
    • Popular_mechanics_for_pitchers

      9 years ago

      Your sense of humor is blurred

      Like
      Reply
      • blurnandez

        9 years ago

        There was no joke. 

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

        Like
        Reply
    • rockfordone

      9 years ago

      Amen

      Like
      Reply
  5. noah perry

    9 years ago

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

    Like
    Reply
  6. Guest

    9 years ago

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

    Like
    Reply
    • rockfordone

      9 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

      Like
      Reply
      • Dave

        9 years ago

        Hey… at least they’re not the Athletics?

        Like
        Reply
  7. blueandwhite89

    9 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.

    Like
    Reply
    • dudemanbro

      9 years ago

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

      Like
      Reply
      • James Attwood

        9 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.

        Like
        Reply
    • Dave

      9 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.

      Like
      Reply
  8. niched

    9 years ago

    Forget Saunders. Get Edwin Jackson or Roy Oswalt

    Like
    Reply
    • Dave

      9 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.

      Like
      Reply
      • niched

        9 years ago

        Agree with everything you say actually

        Like
        Reply
      • Jack

        9 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.

        Like
        Reply
    • Eric Foster

      9 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.

      Like
      Reply
      • niched

        9 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?

        Like
        Reply
        • Dave

          9 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).

          Like
          Reply
      • Dave

        9 years ago

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

        Like
        Reply
  9. Unplucked Sports

    9 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. 

    Like
    Reply
  10. Runtime

    9 years ago

    lol dana eveland

    Like
    Reply
  11. Matthew

    9 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.

    Like
    Reply
  12. Guest

    9 years ago

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

    Like
    Reply
  13. Damon Bowman

    9 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.

    Like
    Reply
    • Jack

      9 years ago

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

      Like
      Reply
  14. ernie kyger

    9 years ago

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

    Like
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Kirby Yates Nearing Deal With Blue Jays

    Mets Fire GM Jared Porter

    Padres To Acquire Joe Musgrove In 3-Team Trade

    Nationals To Sign Jon Lester

    Phillies Sign Archie Bradley

    Yankees, Corey Kluber Agree To Deal

    Yankees, Aaron Judge Avoid Arbitration

    Dodgers, Cody Bellinger Avoid Arbitration

    White Sox Sign Liam Hendriks

    Yankees, DJ LeMahieu Nearing Agreement

    Recent

    Tigers Sign Erasmo Ramirez To Minor League Contract

    Latest On George Springer, Blue Jays

    Kirby Yates Nearing Deal With Blue Jays

    Mets Fire GM Jared Porter

    Padres To Acquire Joe Musgrove In 3-Team Trade

    Mets GM Sent Unsolicited, Explicit Images To Female Reporter In 2016

    Nationals To Sign Jon Lester

    Blue Jays To Sign Tyler Chatwood

    Reds Rumors: Torres, Gregorius, Castillo

    Dodgers Have Considered Marcus Semien At Third Base

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Trevor Bauer Rumors
    • Francisco Lindor Rumors
    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • J.T. Realmuto Rumors
    • George Springer Rumors
    • DJ LeMahieu Rumors
    • Marcell Ozuna Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • 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
    • Indians 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