The Orioles announced a series of roster moves today. Infielder Emmanuel Rivera, recently claimed off waivers, has been added to the roster. They also selected the contract of right-hander Matt Bowman and recalled lefty Nick Vespi. To open spots for those three, they optioned left-hander Trevor Rogers, right-hander Colin Selby and infielder Liván Soto to Triple-A Norfolk. To open a 40-man spot for Bowman, lefty Bruce Zimmermann has been designated for assignment.
Just over three weeks ago, the Orioles acquired Rogers from the Marlins in a pre-deadline trade, sending youngsters Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers to Miami. The O’s have been having a strong season overall but keeping the rotation intact has been a challenge. All three of Kyle Bradish, John Means and Tyler Wells required surgery to address their respective ulnar collateral ligaments in their elbows earlier this year. To bolster the group, they added both Zach Eflin and Rogers prior to the deadline.
It was a buy-low situation with Rogers, who had posted a 2.64 earned run average with the Marlins in 2021 but struggled since. He dealt with various injuries in 2022 and finished that year with a 5.47 ERA. In 2023, he was only able to make four starts due to a left biceps strain and a partial tear in his right lat.
Here in 2024, he was healthy enough to stay on the mound, making 21 starts for the Fish prior to the deal. His velocity was down but the results were passable, as he had a 4.53 ERA in those 21 outings. A few days after the deal, the lefty said he had already received more analytical information relating to his pitch mix and mechanics than during his entire time with the Marlins, per Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner on X. Perhaps the O’s felt there was a path to getting Rogers back to his 2021 form via those analytics, or simply him getting healthier as he moved further away from his injuries.
It has not gone to plan so far, as Rogers hasn’t fared well in his first four starts with the O’s. He has allowed 15 earned runs in 19 innings, leading to a 7.11 ERA. His 13.3% strikeout rate and 11.1% walk rate are both well below league average and nowhere near his previous work.
It seems the O’s have decided that a reset in Triple-A is in order. Perhaps that will give him a chance to work on their suggested tweaks in a lower-stakes environment. He can still be retained via arbitration for two more seasons after this one, so they have some time to figure out a path forward. This isn’t a service time manipulation situation, as he already crossed four years of service time earlier this year.
Still, it’s obviously less than ideal for the club to be subtracting one of its key deadline pickups in the middle of a playoff race. The O’s are still in comfortable position with a 74-54 record, just half a game behind the Yankees in the East and currently possessing the top Wild Card spot. But the Royals and Twins are just 2.5 games back and the Red Sox trail the O’s by only six games, so nothing is set in stone with more than a month left to play.
The rotation continues to be an issue as now both Eflin and Grayson Rodriguez are on the injured list, Eflin due to some shoulder discomfort and Rodriguez due to a lat strain. With Rogers now intentionally removed from the mix, the rotation is now down to Corbin Burnes, Dean Kremer, Albert Suárez, Cole Irvin and Cade Povich. Burnes is great but there are plenty of questions with the others. Kremer and Irvin are essentially back-end guys, with the latter having been passed through waivers a few weeks ago, recently being added back to the roster. Suárez keeps putting up good numbers but is a 34-year-old journeyman who is in the majors for the first time since 2017. Povich has just nine major league starts and a 5.77 ERA in those.
Ideally, the club will be hoping to get Rodriguez and Eflin back for the end of the regular season and then the playoffs as well, but they will have to try to get by with this group for now. Perhaps Rogers can also work his way back into the mix with some quick adjustments in the minors, but he can’t be recalled for the next 15 days unless replacing someone going on the injured list.
Bowman, 33, was signed to a minor league deal a week ago. That pact contained an upward mobility clause today and an opt-out next week. It seems the O’s didn’t want him to get away or simply wanted to add some a fresh arm to their bullpen, so he’s been added to their roster today.
As soon as he gets into a game for the O’s, it will be his fourth club of the year, as he’s already suited up for the Twins, Diamondbacks and Mariners. Since he’s out of options, he’s continually been squeezed out of his opportunities. Whenever he has cleared waivers, he has elected free agency and signed a new deal with fresh opt-outs, seemingly having a strong preference for flexibility.
While bouncing around, he has thrown 15 major league innings with a 5.40 ERA, 15.2% strikeout rate, 10.6% walk rate and 46.8% ground ball rate. But he’s also thrown 33 2/3 Triple-A innings with a 1.87 ERA, 31.3% strikeout rate, 6.9% walk rate and grounders on more than half of the balls in play he’s allowed.
That minor league performance has seemingly led to plenty of interest around the league, with Baltimore being his latest stop. If he can perform like that at the major league level, he could be a nice asset for a Baltimore bullpen that hasn’t been strong this year. Their relief corps has a collective 4.18 ERA, putting them in the bottom third of the league. If things click, he can be retained beyond this season via arbitration, but based on the way his year has gone, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him bouncing around again soon.
Zimmermann, 29, has been in the Orioles’ organization for more than six years now. He came over from Atlanta in the July 2018 trade that sent Kevin Gausman and Darren O’Day the other way. He appeared in 38 games over the 2020-23 seasons, logging 158 1/3 innings with a 5.57 ERA, 18.1% strikeout rate, 5.2% walk rate and 41.1% ground ball rate.
He’s been on optional assignment for all of 2024 so far, having tossed 69 1/3 innings in the minors with a 4.41 ERA, 21.7% strikeout rate and 8.6% walk rate. With the trade deadline now passed, the O’s will have to put Zimmermann on waivers in the coming days.
This is his final option year, so he’ll be out of options next year. A claiming club could potentially stash him in the minors for the rest of this season but he would need an active roster spot by next year. He has less than two years of service time, so any claiming club could control him for five seasons beyond this one. If he were to pass through outright waivers unclaimed, he would stick with the O’s in a non-roster capacity.
myaccount2
You gotta do what you gotta do, but that’s an unfortunate look for Elias.
i like al conin
Well said. They probably could have had at least Tyler Anderson or equivalent for what they gave up.
Paleobros
Hey man, you gotta do what you gotta do.
Lloyd Emerson
Not sure how these moves help that dumpster fire of a bullpen.
Denunzio
Lol,…. They do Not help,
Elias has had a horrible summer, so many poor moves, mistakes, mis-handling of rookies and all The Bad trades,
Hyde has not been much better,
Elias and Hyde better look in the mirror and Fix these issues in a hurry, cause that Window will close quickly.
The Burnes window is already Closing now, their Burnes chances are abruptly ending in one Month.
Big Hurt
Hey Denunzio, I bet Sewald and Samuel and all the other Orioles dunces wished they had Cease now, huh? Or Skubal? Or even Flaherty or Crochet.
This is pretty hilarious actually. All these Elias apologists on this site are getting exactly what they deserve.
I noted at the time that this was a horrible trade and that they needed to actually pony up for a REAL starter… all these geniuses argued that Elias was an oracle and we knew nothing. Ouch!
Would love for one of them to come here and admit that giving up Mayo and Povich for an actual starter was the right move and they were wrong, but won’t happen.
Denunzio
Exactly Big hurt –
Many of us recall vividly last winter the arrogance of Balt fans stating emphatically they did not like nor want a stud like Cease;
Then the summer July rolls around they firmly state Crochet and Skubal are unwanted, not to mention SEA with a Woo or BMiller for young hitters, as we all know SEA needs/ needed hitters badly, a young Woo was out there, for a Norby, stowers, etc
But Noooo….. Let’s deal Norby and Stowers for at best a #4/5 lefty from the Marlins. Ha, real smart Elias,
Eflin was not a bad idea, but he gets injury prone. Eflin is not a difference maker, albeit he is better than the bum Rogers.
Then Elias ignores the pen, Kimbrel help, stupid of him. Kopech who is lights out with LA now Elias could have had dirt cheap, for the batting machine and the Team Bus.
Big Hurt, who is worse – arrogant Os fans who drink hyde and Elias Kool Aid all summer, or Elias himself.
The organiz.has issues ahead, They just blew the Burnes window and next yr they have the young Grayson Rod, and who else? Elias could have had a STACKED rotation for next 3 yrs, but nope, let’s Instead make poor decisions.
sn33
Hey check it out it’s the clown who is still puffing his chest about the marginal return for Cease. I’m glad you are still too dumb to get it but the Orioles are going to be the envy of the league the next decade. The white Sox on the other hand are going to be about as pathetic as your takes.
FOmeOLS
Povich has no value. Mayo has no defense. I would be THRILLED to trade Mayo for a good pitcher.
Blah blah blah
its been 3 weeks and this trade is already looking like a misstep for Baltimore. Norby looks good in Miami.
Waymann
In fairness though, Stowers has looked absolutely awful. Enough so to undo the short burst Norby has gotten out the gate over his first 3 games in Miami. Thus far, Miami has gotten negative value out of this trade too.
myaccount2
Miami traded a mediocre pitcher who had no future on the team, so I don’t think one prospect looking bad negates the other looking good. I bet Miami would happily take Norby turning into a regular at the expense of Stowers completely fizzling out.
Waymann
Norby has looked good for 3 games playing for a team with nothing to lose and no depth chart concerns.
It’s just not fair to completely write off Rogers like that knowing the O’s viewed him as a work in progress. Also, he was 2-9 this year for the Fins with a 4.5 ERA and FIP. Call that him being mediocre if you want…I’m going to call it his team failing to provide offense for him repeatedly while he was giving them chances to win.
myaccount2
His 4.53 ERA isn’t anything special. The league-average ERA is 4.10. His ERA+ is 99. He’s average. Trading a promising IF with 7 years of control for an average SP who is “a work in progress” isn’t something I’d personally do. That guy needs to be moved in a larger package for a solidified #2, IMO.
Dan oleson
Brutal trade; Marlins outsmarted Orioles GM who seemed intent to finding along-term solution but settled for less than a bandaid. Norby alone should have scored Anderson….
sn33
They weren’t looking for rentals. They weren’t trading Norby for a slightly above average rental. Rogers has control beyond this year and if they can figure things out it can still be a good move. He will be back before the end of the season. Stowers and Norby aren’t exactly doing well and they had no place to play in Baltimore. It’s not a great trade but it’s not a brutal trade. So many people who don’t follow the orioles trying to act like experts it’s actually quite comical.
Johnny utah
Huge mistake for O’s trding for rogers
Gave up nice pieces in norby & stowers
I know rotation is banged up
But Roger is garbage
jbigz12
Norby’s played 3 games and Stowers looks like he belongs in AAA.
Rogers is a dumpster fire and I thought Norby would’ve brought back more but I certainly wouldn’t say that he’s going to be a good ML’er yet.
For Love of the Game
Stowers almost 40% K rate in over 100 PAs. And one home run. Yikes!
Waymann
@For Love
Seriously though, I hate to rag on the boy Stowers but it almost feels necessary to counter the extreme opinions. For as rough as Rogers’ start with the O’s has been…Stowers has been nearly twice as bad according to BaseballReference WAR. It’s almost hard to imagine but a 40% K rate will do that to you.
Reynaldo's
How does Emmanuel Rivera keep getting Major League jobs?
Rsox
Neither do Joe Orsulak, Mike Devereux or Chito Martinez but you don’t hear them complaining…
Rsox
Jeff Tackett
Rsox
Tim Hulett
scarfish
Jeffrey Hammonds
DroppedThirdStrike
Billy “F%!$face” Ripken
Rsox
Sherman Obando
acrease77
Mickey Tettelton
Devlsh
Bo Hart!
dm867
Tito Landrum! How does he not have a statue???
Thornton Mellon
Cesar Izturis
Kevin Bass
Jack Voigt
Bret Barberie
Luis Polonia
Eugene Kingsale
Manny Alexander
Rich Becker
These Orioles immortals also must be remembered.
SewaldSwansonSwoon
Oh my, Rich Becker. A name I haven’t heard in years…
Rsox
You forgot
Willie Greene
Willis Otanez
Damon Buford
Ryan Minor
Mark Smith
Paul Carey
Matt Nokes
Mike Pagliarulo
Andy Van Slyke
LFGMets (Metsin7) #BannedForBeingABaseballExpert
Looks like I was right about Elias. Those who made fun or me or said that I was trolling can appolagize on this thread. He did nothing to move the needle. Bottom 5 Gms in the game. Never goes for it when his team has a chance to win it all. High drafts picks from being losers for 5+ years all to amount to nothing. But don’t worry guys, he’ll brag about how well he drafts when they basically have a top 5 pick every year. That’ll show em!
Waymann
Let go of the anger, my brother. Look for the good in life.
myaccount2
He’s definitely not a bottom 5 GM the way he drafts and the development system he put in place. Many of the guys he drafted and developed weren’t top picks–see Henderson (42nd), Norby (41st), Mayo (103rd), Westburg (30th). There’s no way he’s worse than the GMs in Colorado, Anaheim, San Francisco, Saint Louis, Oakland, Cincinnati, Toronto, etc. and there are a few TBD that don’t look super promising, plus I could be missing a few.
jdgoat
You need to give him more than a couple of years to actually finish off a World Series competitor. His final top pieces are just making it to the majors now. If he continues supplementing this roster by giving up significant assets for guys like Rogers though, you might be correct in a few years. This is the most difficult part of roster building. Anybody can tank for years to accumulate pieces, adding the right pieces to that foundation is where the top minds distance themselves from the pack.
sn33
I’m sure I speak for all of us that laughed at you before by saying we are still laughing at you for spelling apologize “appolagize” I for one thought you were trolling before. But you have proven you are just a fool.
Lloyd Emerson
I’m sorry you obviously have no clue how to spell “apologize”
Os&nattybohs
You sound like an absolute idiot. How about you worry about your $300M bust of a team. Elias is an absolute genius. Dude literally transformed this entire organization. Yes they did have high picks but they were far from guaranteed. Perfect example was most people wanted him to take Druw Jones and instead took Jackson Holliday. Jackson absolutely tore through the minors and Druw is not even a top 100 prospect anymore. Also Gunnar was a (2nd round pick), Norby (2nd round), Westburg (late 1st round), Mayo (4th round), Joey Ortiz (4th round) and Basallo international slot, He has absolutely destroyed the draft. And his best draft pick was a 2nd rounder who is now a Superstar at 23. He also revamped the entire international system for the Orioles also which has been missing for forever. 12 of the Orioles top 30 prospects are now international and some will show up in a huge way in the coming years. He is a top 5 GM easily. Oh and now he has real ownership who is ready to spend.
lesterdnightfly
“Those who made fun or me or said that I was trolling can appolagize on this thread..”
What about those billions who actually know how spell apologize?
SewaldSwansonSwoon
LFGMets is almost as big a moron as Denunzero
jdgoat
People will come on here and try to tell you acquiring good pitching is actually bad though.
RunDMC
Yes, but who, after watching Rogers or looking at his stats, thinks he is still ‘good pitching’? That prospect pool could have gotten a slew of arms around the league…and that’s who they decided on? Seriously? They must be looking to next year, b/c nothing this year would indicate he was the right guy for a playoff run. Then, why would you give up 2 good prospects for next year? Are you not re-signing Burnes? Can you not afford someone like Flaherty? Doesn’t make sense and looks like they squandered the prospect pool in much of the same way SD has done in years past.
Travis’ Wood
Well Rogers is nowhere near good so I have No clue what your point is
jdgoat
People were saying giving up more assets to acquire an ace like Skubal was a worse idea than settling for a subjectively bad pitcher like Rogers.
RunDMC
This is hilarious re: Rogers. Trade 2 legitimate prospects that could have landed many other available arms, and they option him. Really thought they should have landed FA-to-be Flaherty, as a reunion, but maybe they thought they’re going to fix Rogers.
sn33
They didn’t trade two legitimate prospects. They had Flaherty the year before and it did not go great on the field or in the clubhouse. They probably didn’t want to give up more than “two legitimate prospects” for a rental for someone who just didn’t work out. Obviously the results have not gone great for the Orioles but there is still time to figure things out with Rogers on top of the fact they traded two guys who weren’t going to play for them. Norby could be an average to slightly above average second basemen but no sure thing. Stowers is aaaa so it’s not like they are going to look back on this trade with huge regret even if they never figure things out with Rogers.
Sideline Redwine
can you please tell me how all prospects will fare in the future, as you have a crystal ball?
sn33
Nope and I never claimed to have a crystal ball or know how every prospect will turn out. Poor reading comprehension but great joke though. That is so hilarious! Did you make it up? Because it seems like such a fresh new joke you must be a funny person for sure. There is no way that could be an old lame joke from 50 years ago. Look how funny you are. Anyway as an Orioles fan who has seen these two play in person in spring training, the minor leagues, and the major leagues as well as several times on tv I feel pretty confident in my statements. A lot of people who know a lot more than me seem to have the same opinion. But you know what you have that others don’t. A complete lack of self awareness to think telling crystal ball jokes is funny. Do you have a crystal ball to let everyone know when you might have the ability to add anything baseball related to the topic? Because it sure as heck isn’t now.
SaintChris
Sn33: What happened with Flaherty in the O’s clubhouse?? There have been multiple reports of Flaherty being an excellent clubhouse guy in both St Louis & Detroit, with both managers and players routinely praising him. This screams bs on your part.
sn33
Actually he wore out his welcome in STL. He kind of had the entitlement and ego of an ace but didn’t pitch like one for several seasons. I feel like this was pretty well covered but I also live 2 hours from STL so maybe it didn’t get as much coverage nationally but I didn’t know a single Cardinals fan that wasn’t happy when they traded him “he’s your problem now” was a text I received more than once. He wasn’t really open to coaching in Baltimore. Didn’t want to buy in and the results spoke for themselves. Everything I have heard about him this year in Detroit was the opposite so maybe he got some advice from his agent or someone that was like hey maybe cut the ego and focus on pitching. Whatever the case you can’t argue with the results this year and he is going to cash in on that multi year offer he was hoping to get this past year. Do I know all of these stories are 100% accurate of course not. But if enough people tell you that you are drunk at a party you maybe want to give up your keys. So no it doesn’t scream bs on my part. It’s more that you just are ignorant to the topic at hand.
SaintChris
This screams even more bs on your part. There’s been multiple articles quoting players & managers talking about how good of a teammate he is, about he’s a leader, and sets a good example.
But some Cardinals fans texted you after he was traded, so he must be a terrible clubhouse presence?
I also find it very hard to believe he was unwilling to make changes in Baltimore, but somehow had no problem revamping everything a few months later for Detroit. Sounds like more make believe on your part.
Watch the videos of the O’s celebrating clinching last year. Flaherty is in the middle of it, celebrating with his teammates that obviously like him.
sn33
There’s been multiple articles saying the opposite too. I never said everyone hated him. I guess your reading comprehension is weak because I even said I don’t know if these stories are all true. But it wasn’t just fans it was press and whispers from the clubhouse. Again I wasn’t there but for something to qualify as Bs I would have to be making it all up which I’m not. So maybe tap the brakes with your own bs. Also your reading comprehension let you down again. I never said anything about his teammates in Baltimore. It was more of a front office/coaching staff that didn’t want to go down that road again. Once again not bs this is pretty well documented. He was bad for Baltimore he didn’t respond to Holts coaching he got bumped to the pen and left off the playoff roster. Is all of that bs too? I love that your point to he didnt respond well to coaching in Baltimore was “well he was celebrating with the team when they won.” Would anyone not celebrate? And what does that have to do with coaching? I think it’s pretty obvious who is screaming BS at this point with responses like that and his name rhymes with paint this. Better luck next time chump.
sn33
“I find it very hard to believe he was unwilling to make changes in Baltimore but had no problem revamping everything in Detroit.” Yeah I know it’s not like he was hoping to secure a multiple year contract last offseason and had to settle for a one year prove it contract. Yeah who could possibly see any motivation?! Haha clown
SewaldSwansonSwoon
Saint – nah. Flaherty may have been a good fit for Detroit but he acted like a spoiled primadonna in Baltimore. Always stone faced, sitting off by himself, never smiling or talking to anyone, always trailing behind the rest of the SPs pre-game en route to the dugout… he wasn’t a good fit. Didn’t help that he sucked.
Oh, and you picked up on the only example of Flaherty smiling – clinching the division. The highest point of the season. What a proof point lol
sn33
Be careful. Telling accurate stories “screams bs” to Saint. You are 100% spot on and it’s pretty common knowledge. Or so I thought haha
SewaldSwansonSwoon
Saint doesn’t follow the Orioles, otherwise he’d know that even Skubal wouldn’t be able to put a bandaid on the defensive issues, bullpen weakness, and streaky offense lately. He’s howling into the wind. Just like every other idiot who thought Elias shouldn’t heed his lesson learned with Flaherty, and try again. What do they say about insanity? Trying the same thing over again and expecting a different result?
sn33
Couldn’t agree more. So many experts in here who obviously don’t follow the team. If they did they would realize how horribly they are embarrassing themselves with their bad takes and false narratives.
Blackouts are racist
Very common knowledge, signed a Cub fan. Saint is into his feelings.
SaintChris
It’s funny how one can find multiple reports about Flaherty’s positive clubhouse presence. Perhaps you could provide a link for all these negative reports you speak of.
I’ll wait.
SaintChris
With no true impact arms in the farm system, and Elias’ known shyness for big-money, long-term contracts, how else do you expect the Orioles to add needed top-of-the-line pitching?
Perhaps, Elias has the O’s right where he wants them: competitive, but not true WS contenders.
Also: Attempting to compare Flaherty, who was in the midst of a terrible year when the O’s traded for him, to Skubal, who is a CY Young favorite, is ridiculous.
sn33
I never once compared them. Are you just making up things now to argue about to try to look smart? Guess what you are failing horribly. I have posted the same amount of links that you have. The difference js a couple people have backed up what I have said while basically calling you a clown. So I guess we all can agree your opinion “screams bs”
SaintChris
pressboxonline.com/2023/08/09/former-cardinals-man…
Former Cardinals manager raving about Flaherty’s character and positive clubhouse presence.
sn33
Congrats you found one article where Shildt who gets along with everyone had nice things to say. Did you see last night Flaherty got into it with former teammate Arozarena after he plunked him. Seemed to be some bad blood there. But that doesn’t matter because you have one article. Also Cardinals went out and signed 3 pitchers this offseason Gray Lynn Gibson. Why not Flaherty? He signed a one year pact just like Lynn and Gibson and is a much better pitcher. Kind of strange the Cardinals wouldn’t sign him if he was so loved right? Also strange how the Cardinals and Orioles were both looking for pitching at the deadline and didn’t even attempt to get him. All of the factors have to be some wild and crazy coincidence right? Because you found one article where the nicest guy in MLB had some nice things to say about a former pitcher. Get a clue.
sn33
“Elias is known for shyness with big long term contracts” they just came under new ownership this March. They have been in a rebuild. There was never a smart time in his tenure to go handing out long term contracts to pitchers. Long term big money contracts to pitchers are also almost always a bad idea. So you are criticizing him for shying away from something that burns the team 80-90% of the time. Yeah he must be dumb. Something else you are glossing over is the fact that it was a sellers market at the deadline. Prices for pitching were high as was seen by some of the returns. There will be more pitchers available this offseason so the idea is you can get pitchers for a bette return in the offseason than deadline as we have seen often. Look at the returns for Burnes and Cease this offseason. Better pitchers for smaller returns. Now the orioles have more bullets to go after more options for better value this winter. There was never any reason for the orioles to go “all in” this year because they are set up for sustained success for the next decade. But people like you don’t follow the team and have no clue what they are talking about just like to shoot off at the mouth. This is fantasy baseball or the show. Why don’t you let the grown ups who know what they are talking about talk and you go sit in the corner. Because I think you have embarrassed yourself enough or one thread.
2012orioles
Still say the Rogers move was for next year with anything added this year is a bonus. It’s crazy to type this out, given the total opposite 10 years or so ago, but the Orioles can develop pitchers now. This isn’t a failure by any means yet. They are hoping they can fix him for next year and beyond
Waymann
My thoughts exactly, dude. Give him a head start on tinkering and off-season revamp.
Also, people act like the O’s got fleeced in this deal but, for as rough as the first go has been for Rogers, he’s not nearly been as bad as Stowers has with something like a 40-50% K rate. Norby is good but where does he play on the O’s? We can’t have a lineup with 9 middle infielders.
sn33
Waymann I couldn’t agree more. People are so ridiculous and hypocritical. The people who were saying “oh they have too many position players they need to trade some for pitching” are saying “oh they are going to regret trading those prospects” Even if Rogers doesn’t work out over the next 2.5 seasons it’s not like this trade is going to be looked back on with huge regret by the Orioles front office or their fans.
Waymann
Seeing Rogers get optioned stings but keep in mind that the team brass knew he’d be a work in progress…there’s just no wiggle room this year to let him keep trying to work it out on the major league team. Also, this strikes me as a prelude to good news coming soon on Gray-Rod and Eflin. I’m guessing they made this move with the knowledge those two players are progressive well…so plan is bring up some fresh bullpen arms and look to hold serve over the next 15-20 games then lock in for the final stretch.
I could see a scenario where this serves as a jumpstart on the off-season revamp for Rogers. Let him head to Norfolk and start tinkering then get a full cycle with the pitching braintrust and come into next season on a clean slate.
letitbelowenstein
Every team has those moments that are painful. This is the O’s turn. That trade wouldn’t have been good even if only Stowers had been dealt.
sad tormented neglected mariners fan
A “buy low situation”??? I don’t think you trade 2 quality players for a guy who gets optioned to AAA
Sideline Redwine
my first question…regardless of the demotion. Two solid prospects are “buy low”??? lol
sn33
“Two solid prospects” not really. Norby has some potential but Stowers really isn’t all that good. Neither had a place in Baltimore to play. It hasn’t gone great for the Orioles so far obviously but even if they don’t figure things out with Rogers over the next 2.5 years this isn’t going to be a trade the Orioles have major regrets about down the road.
SewaldSwansonSwoon
He’s a controllable lefty starter and a former all star that’s still on the good side of 30…
Sideline Redwine
A “buy-low” situation? Stowers and Norby? I sure wish the O’s would have offered those two for Eflin…
Butter Biscuits
Should have gone after Skubal with all those prospects instead of middling players
SewaldSwansonSwoon
Stupid take. Skubal wouldn’t fix the bullpen and the ailing defense and the streaky offense.
C Yards Jeff
Bowman pitched 2 innings of no run, no hit ball at OPACY earlier this year. Probably means nothing, but…
Billg7987
Irvin pitched better than Rogers. That’s why Rogers was sent down. Selby was sent down because they needed a fresh arm. He’ll be back. They know what they have in Vespi. It’s not much, but he can typically throw moderately acceptable strikes. Bowman is just throwing stuff against the wall and hoping it sticks. That’s how they got Webb and Selby and Suárez (and Burch and oh so much garbage).
davidrocholl
Here’s the question of the year for the Orioles. Why is your #1 prospect still in the majors?? Jackson Holliday has been the #1 prospect in the game since he was drafted, and your going to deny him the opportunity to be rookie of the year!! Just sayin’!!!
C Yards Jeff
Mateo and Westburg on the shelf
geotheo
He got an 8 million dollar signing bonus. Even with the Orioles slumping he’s got a chance to play in the postseason this year as a 20 year old. If his career continues as expected he will make an awful lot of money by the time he is 25. Most players would trade postseason play for a trophy anyday.
Patriot12992
Huh? They are trying to win a division title and he is the best option for them.
davidrocholl
and batting .181 with a 34.5% strikeout rate and a walk rate of less than 1% is helping this team!!
davidrocholl
and batting .181 with a 34.5% strikeout rate, and walk rate at less than 1% is helping this team!!
Baseball_dude
Lmao.. this is gonna go down as one of the worst trades in Oriole history
Thornton Mellon
Not possible, unless he drove the team bus off the Bay Bridge with the team in it.
Eddie Murray for Juan Bell, Brian Holton, Ken Holzman
Curt Schilling, Steve Finley, and Pete Harnisch for Glenn Davis
LordD99
Fascinating.
schwender
Eflin – Hurt
Flaherty – Awful
Heasley – Gone
Burnes – 6.21ERA over last 30
Rogers – Demoted
Dominguez – Mets PTSD
Irvin – Outrighted
Soto – 14.73ERA over 30
Pache – dumped
Eloy – .695 OPS as a DH we didn’t need
As far as trading goes, I don’t think Elias could have done any worse in the last two seasons.
Patriot12992
Your really throwing Burnes in there?
tuck 2
This is ridiculous. First compare what they gave up in those trades. Zero
Also you can’t be serious about Burnes? You got a CY Young winner for next to nothing and he’s 13-5 3.10 despite one bad outing and couple subpar. Citing short term ERA after thing worst outing of his career is idiotic.
As for Soto and Dominguez – you got 2 guys with 100 mph stuff and proven playoff success. Maybe see what these look like next year.
Same with Rogers. He’s down to bring up some fresh arms – and to work on some things. He’s a 5th or 6th starter so relax.
Every expert says Os had the best deadline of any team – two weeks doesn’t decide this.
Lastly – can everyone just except the fact the Grayson, Bradish, Means, Eflin, Wells, Webb, Coulombe and Felix would be one of the best pitching staffs in baseball and all are in the IL.
Elias should be lauded for the Os still being 1/2 game out of first.
GooseGoslinGuy
“except the fact…”??? You mean “ACCEPT the fact”???? The level of illiteracy at MLBTR is scary. If you don’t know which words are which, and cannot spell them, how can you use them to express what you mean?
Denunzio
@Schwender –
EXACTLY! Awful moves by Elias,
Now Eflin was the one decent move, that could/ would Help IF Ef stays healthy and IF Balt can miraculously get to an actual NLDS series, where a SP not named Burnes is needed.
But we all know great chance the O’s lose right away in WC games.
Elias blew it, a yuge massive failure, and couple this with a sub-par game Mgr in Hyde, they have major issues going into ’25., not to mention the SP woes in ’25 without a Burnes.
sn33
It would absolutely be miraculous for the Orioles to get to the NLDS. That is probably the only smart thing you have said in any of girl ramblings. They have major issues going into 2025? Hahaha they will be one of the top 5 betting favorites to win the World Series next year. You come across as foolish and bitter. A pretty awful combination.
SewaldSwansonSwoon
Schwender joins the stupid troll list with LFGMets and Denunzero
Thornton Mellon
Burnes?
I guess every time Cal Ripken went 0 for 4 over a 16 year stretch you were screaming he’s a bum and needs to sit?
tuck 2
This a bad read of the situation. He pitched adequately in his last start – he’s a number 5 starter – they just need fresh bullpen arms to get through this weekend. He’ll miss one start maybe 2 and he’ll be back when rosters expand by 2 in September.
As for the trade – let’s evaluate that in a year. Stowers is not going to amount to anything so this will be Norby vs Rogers. Personally I don’t love it, but it doesn’t change my view that Elias is the best GM in baseball.
Patriot12992
Why do we continually need to editorialize Saurez’ season? Every time he comes up you guys mention he is a “journeyman” back for the first time in years. But he is pitching extremely well and has the peripherals to match. At what point is he allowed to just be a good pitcher?
Devlsh
It’s fascinating there seem to be two extreme views with little middle ground (much like America).
From an outside perspective, I’d say Elias has done a terrific job building the team and assembling a worthy collection of prospects. That said, he hasn’t yet shown a knack for acquiring guys who are playoff ready, which is where this team is now. Some of that has been because of financial restraints, which are hopefully no longer in place, but a team ought never assume their “window’ will remain open indefinitely, and tinkering around the edges in hopes of finding gold is better left to teams on the rebuild (or the Rays) and isn’t ideal for a team ready to win NOW.
A lot of GMs are good at one or two things (DiPoto, making trades, Prellar finding minor league talent over and over, and so on). At this point, Elias needs to show he recognizes the urgency of the present and a willingness to give up assets in return for quality help. This offseason, he’ll have another opportunity, but if he fails again, it’ll be fair to say this may be his Achilles heel.
SaintChris
Orioles should have gone after a premium pitcher at the deadline, no matter the proslect capital required. The idea that Rogers, who performed poorly pitching half his game at the cavernous Miami stadium would somehow improve pitching in the AL East is idiotic. The end result is another wasted year of team control for all the young offensive studs on the roster.
geotheo
What about Eflin? Arguably one of the best pitchers available at the deadline. What great pitcher was available. Tigers weren’t trading Skubal. Angels didn’t trade Anderson. It’s not a Wendy’s there has to be a team at the other end. And the Orioles aren’t trading 6 years (potentially 900 games) of Holliday for 70 starts or so of Skubal. They invested too much for Holliday
SaintChris
The Tigers were willing to trade Skubal just as the White Sox were willing to trade Crochet. The Orioles just weren’t willing to give up the required prospect capital.
Any argument for six years of Holliday is null when the O’s get bounced in the first round and the end result of the 2024 season is a wasted year of team control for Burnes, Rutschman, Mountcastle, Gunnar, Westburg, Cowser, Grayson…etc.
SewaldSwansonSwoon
Foolish. The offense actually isn’t good since… late June
Thornton Mellon
We don’t know what would have landed Skubal or Crochet, and all the other contenders were in the same predicament. Especially the Chi Sox, given the Cease BS over the last year.
Rickover50
Prospects are nice but parades are nicer.. was stupid not to pursue skubal and then give up mayo and stowers for this guy. O’s will get swept out round one
SewaldSwansonSwoon
Another stupid commenter who isn’t as smart as Mike Elias and wants every team to end up washed out after one WS appearance each decade… like the Nats
Mets6986??
You’re still being a joke and defending this horrible GM. The Orioles won’t even get a WS appearance. Every move this horrible GM makes the Orioles get worse and worse. Good thing players start walking out the door this winter.
SewaldSwansonSwoon
Oh, forgot to put your name in the bucket with LFGMets and Deninzero as full-blown idiots
Mets6986??
You are the most moronic person on here blowing smoke up your GMS butt because he intentionally lost for 5 years. Other than that he is horrendous but keep saying dumb crap and running your mouth.
SewaldSwansonSwoon
If only you were remotely credible…
But you’re not. You’re a joke, and a clown. You know nothing.
Buh bye!
SewaldSwansonSwoon
BJ Surhoff
C Yards Jeff
Chico Salmon
SewaldSwansonSwoon
This ignores that, while Rogers has been hit hard, he’d have kept the team in the game in at least two of those starts if the offense didn’t continually forget to show up with RISP.
Also, Hyde said all this is to freshen the pen. With Irvin back on the 40, Rogers becomes redundant. They didn’t have much choice after Eflin went on the IL… it was either Irvin or Zimmermann to fill those shoes, and Zimm throws absolute batting practice. They’re all three shades of the same pitcher, but Rogers has the obvious higher ceiling. And god knows the bullpen needs help. Good grief. So a shakeup is fine by me. It is regrettable it includes a guy who was supposed to help a gutted rotation, but Elias seems to always have some sort of plan…
tuck 2
Burnes has to be headed to IL next
Denunzio
@tuck-2 ,
Yes, correct, for the first time all summer you sir are Correct with a hot take! Congrats,
but seriously, it appears Burnes could use a brief timeout, quick IL stint, get himself fully healthy and fresh for a big mid to late Sept run.
With Brew Crew and counsel all those years this was not uncommon, Corbin had some quick IL stints at times. Let’s hope he is fresh for final push.
Despite my O’s rants, Burnes is great guy and good for game, and needed for possible playoff push, even if a quick exit thnx to Elias and Hyde incompetence.
Tattedbaker
I love to see it!
U got a great team and a great farm system and instead of going for it they opt to dumpster dive 2 deadlines in a row. And get nothing from who they traded for.
Do better.
Hard to walk with four balls
at least they didn’t get Skubal and held on to Holliday who is making quite the impact.
SewaldSwansonSwoon
How would trading prospects have helped their sputtering offense and flailing defense?
Tattedbaker
Did u know u trade prospects to get better? I mean not the O’s but that’s part of the problem with them…
GooseGoslinGuy
Short-term pitching situation looks bad for Birds.