Despite the recent additions of Zach Phillips and Edgar Olmos, the Orioles continue to look for lefty relief help and could pursue veteran southpaw Sean Burnett, Rich Dubroff of CSN Mid-Atlantic writes. Burnett is currently with the Nationals on a minor-league deal, but has an April 1 opt-out in his contract. If the Orioles decide their interest in Burnett is serious, they could potentially either make a small trade to get him now or wait until his opt-out date. With lefties Oliver Perez and Felipe Rivero likely set to make the Nationals’ bullpen, Burnett would appear to be on the outside looking in, unless the Nats elect to carry three lefties.
Burnett did not pitch in 2015 after having Tommy John surgery, and injuries also limited him in the two seasons before that. He has been impressive this spring, however, allowing no runs and one walk while striking out four in 6 2/3 innings. The Orioles have been hunting for lefties because of uncertainty surrounding the health of Brian Matusz, who has only pitched two innings this spring while dealing with a back injury.
Chances actually seem good that Burnett will make the Nats’ bullpen (yes, they already have Rivero and Perez, but Burnett is not a LOOGY, so it shouldn’t be a problem to carry three lefties).
If the Os are looking for lefty help from former Nats, maybe they should try Tom Gorzelanny since the Indians said they weren’t going to add him to their pen.
Joe Thatcher might also be a good guy to look at since he won’t make the Indians opening day roster. He’s been better than Burnett this Spring and doesn’t have the recent injury history.
Agreed. Thatcher still has value. He won;t be out of work long.
What about the Yankees?
Honestly even though chapman is suspended, Miller and betances is nothing to scoff at. They also have some depth In Bryan Mitchell. The Yankees have arguably the best 7-8-9 combo in that division and maybe in all of a baseball. The Sox really only have Kimbrel since Smith got hurt, and Tim Wright will (speculation) get that 5th spot in place of Erod.
Can’t forget Shreve. Can’t sleep on him I think he’s very underrated and I hate the yanks
It’s Steven Wright. The Red Sox aren’t making any Trades fior a SP or giving up a OF.
I do vaguely recall them saying something like that. I disagree with your characterization of Burnett as part of the scrap heap, however. He has been fantastic this spring and has a proven track record before he was injured. The Os can look elsewhere.
Sorry bud but the Yankees definitely have the best BP in the division
There isnt a bullpen that has 7 good pitchers in it. The Orioles backend, even before Smiths injury, was better than the Sox
Oh my God, you’re insufferable. Let’s compare the top four guys in each bullpen shall we?
-Closers-
Britton 2015: 1.92 ERA; 10.8 K/9; 1.9 BB/9; 0.4 HR/9
Kimbrel 2015: 2.58 ERA; 13.2 K/9; 3.3 BB/9; 0.9 HR/9
-Setup-
Darren O’Day 2015: 1.52 ERA; 11.3 K/9; 1.9 BB/9; 0.7 HR/9;
Mychal Givens 2015: 1.80 ERA; 11.4 K/9; 1.8 BB/9; 0.3 HR/9
Brad Brach 2015: 2.72 ERA; 10.1 K/9; 4.3 BB/9; 0.8 HR/9
Carson Smith 2015: 2.31 ERA; 11.8 K/9; 2.8 BB/9; 0.3 HR/9
Koji Uehara 2015: 2.23 ERA; 10.5 K/9; 2.0 BB/9; 0.7 HR/9
Junichi Tazawa 2015: 4.14 ERA; 8.6 K/9; 2.0 BB/9; 0.8 HR/9
As you can see, the Orioles stack up against “your Sox” quite well in terms of relievers. But it’s worth noting that both Kimbrel and Smith will be pitching in a hitter friendly park after previously pitching in pitcher friendly parks. Also Smith is injured and will be out for God knows how long while the Orioles will only need a lefty to fill in for a few weeks.
TLDR: bigpapi4ever is (still) wrong. Fangraphs says so.
never try to argue facts with someone who refers to a team as ‘my’… their opinions clearly aren’t motivated by objective analysis and in-depth research.
Yeah but you cant argue with stupid. bigpapi4ever is always right.
Adding depth pieces doesn’t discount a teams current roster! They still do have one of the best BP’s in the division ranked much stronger then even… Gasp!… Boston’s! I hope Boston isn’t counting on Elias! Cuz the O’s just hammered him today!
Dude…….at this point, your just making yourself look really really idiotic and it’s hard to feel somewhat bad anymore, just be rational and think about what your actually saying before you post, it’s good to have faith in “your sox”… But your not even in the same ball park as reasonable, the Red Sox have the fourth best pen in their division I’d even say the worst and are a fourth place team at best so for the love of god just stop
bigpapi4ever your an idiot and you make yourself look bad on virtually every post,so until you realize that the Red Sox aren’t the best team in there division even please spare us the ignorant comments.
You’re, their
You’re, their
Burnett, Joe Thatcher, Neal Cotts, or Sam Freeman, who could be made available. I’m sure I’m missing an obvious candidate or two here…
We’re looking to temporarily replace one left-handed reliever due to an injury, you insipid Red Sox apologist. Even replacing Matusz with Phillips or Olmos the O’s bullpen is better than the Sawx.
Now that is one hell of a word to describe ones character! Insipid!
That’s goofy, evidently you didn’t read the article. Brian Matusz is injured and might start the season on the DL. They need a replacement in the short term as he is a lefty and they don’t have a lot of left handed options.
Orioles can have Sean Burnett when Angelos gives us the MASN money he’s been stealing from us. On second thought, we’ll take the MASN money and Burnett! Go Nats!
Orioles need all the lefty they can get with a starting 5 of rightys
Are you really calling people out for being off base on things they posted? That is so rich hahahah And in Actuallity, I think more people were adamanet that “your sox” didn’t have the best pen in baseball like you keep saying. The Yankees and Orioles hands down have a better pen than your team. Furthermore, Matusz is hurt and they are trying to find someone to fill the void on the left side while he is out. I’m sure this is going to sail right over your head since it is logical and doesn’t involve “your sox” getting a superstar player with one of your absurd proposals. Please bet me on “your sox” winning 102 games!
Did they forget Joe Beimel is still on the market?