The Orioles have traded right-hander Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels for outfielder Taylor Ward. The Angels have also announced the trade. Rodriguez missed the entire 2025 season due to multiple arm injuries. Ward will be a free agent after 2026.
On a day filled with minor deals and roster shuffling, Baltimore and Los Angeles saved the best for last. The Orioles are shipping out one of their most promising arms since the Dylan Bundy/Kevin Gausman era. Rodriguez was electric at times since his 2023 debut, but injuries have marred his career. The 26-year-old was sidelined with shoulder inflammation and a lat strain this past year. A shoulder injury cost him half of the 2024 campaign. Injuries in 2022 limited him to 75 2/3 minor league innings and potentially delayed his big-league debut.
Rodriguez is under team control through 2029. Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias told reporters back in September that the righty was expected to be ready for spring training. Last week, Elias told reporters, including Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner, that Rodriguez “provides a real wild card for us talent-wise.” Elias will now play that card, turning Rodriguez into a year of a dependable power bat.
Ward hit a career-high 36 home runs last season. Since becoming a regular in 2022, the 31-year-old has launched 98 homers with decent plate discipline and fine run production. Ward’s batting average slipped to .228 last season, but his slugging percentage jumped to a career-high .475. He drove in 100+ runs for the first time as a big leaguer, while scoring a career-best 86 times.
MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projects Ward to earn $13.7MM in his final year of arbitration. He was a first-round pick by the Angels back in 2015. Ward tore up minor-league pitching at each level, reaching Triple-A by 2018. He slashed a robust .352/.442/.537 with Salt Lake, earning a big-league callup at the end of that season. Ward scuffled in 40 games with the Angels and found himself back with the Bees. He bounced between both levels for a couple of seasons before finally cementing his spot with the big-league club in 2022. Ward broke out with 23 home runs over 135 games with the Halos, finishing his first full MLB season with a .281/.360/.473 slash (136 wRC+).
Ward began his career as a catcher but moved to the corner infield spots as he advanced in the Angels’ system. He played mostly third base in his early MLB years before permanently transitioning to the outfield in 2022. Ward spent some time in center and right field, but he’s played exclusively left field since 2023. He’ll enter an unsettled outfield mix that includes Colton Cowser, Tyler O’Neill, and Leody Taveras. Youngsters Dylan Beavers and Heston Kjerstad will also be involved, though the Ward addition will be another roadblock to consistent at-bats for them.
Ward’s departure leaves the Angels with Jo Adell, Jorge Soler, and some question marks in the outfield. With Mike Trout penciled in at DH, the outfield alternatives include Gustavo Campero, Bryce Teodosio, and Matthew Lugo. Top prospect Nelson Rada could also push for a roster spot. The Angels will be on the lookout for some center field help this winter.
The trade marks a surprising end to Rodriguez’s tenure with the club that selected him 11th overall in 2018. He quickly rose through the minors, with massive strikeout numbers propelling him to the top of prospect lists. MLB.com ranked Rodriguez behind only Adley Rutschman in Baltimore’s system back in 2022, while slotting him at sixth among all prospects. He was the top-ranked pitcher on the board.
Rodriguez did not hit the ground running in the big leagues during his debut in 2023, recording an ugly 7.35 ERA over his first 10 starts. He was sent back to Triple-A to regroup, and returned with a vengeance. The right-hander put up a 2.58 ERA across 13 starts after getting recalled. He cleaned up the control issues that had caused problems in his first stint and did so while striking out nearly a batter per inning. Rodriguez was shelled by the Rangers in the ALDS, but the final three months of the regular season suggested Baltimore had their ace of the future.
The 2024 campaign saw Rodriguez push his strikeout rate to 26.5% while trimming his walk rate to 7.3%. He notched his first double-digit strikeout game in May, striking out 10 against Boston. Rodriguez piled up 13 wins through 20 starts and logged a 3.86 ERA before a shoulder issue ended his season in August. A quality start and victory over Toronto on the final day of July would end up being his last start with the team.
Baltimore’s rotation will be headlined by Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish heading into 2026. Dean Kremer has been a reliable source of innings, but the options are less stable beyond him. Tyler Wells is expected to return to a starting role after returning late last season from UCL surgery. Cade Povich has made 36 starts over the past two seasons, but his career ERA is over 5.00. Brandon Young and Chayce McDermott have also struggled in their limited big-league opportunities. The Orioles have added veterans like Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, and Kyle Gibson in the past two seasons to help eat innings. They could be dipping back into that pool of pitchers to fill out the rotation this offseason.
For the Halos, Rodriguez adds an upside arm to a rotation that’s headlined by Yusei Kikuchi and Jose Soriano but otherwise lacks certainty. Former top prospect Reid Detmers will likely get another look in the rotation, where he’s struggled in the past, after an excellent 2025 season in the bullpen. Caden Dana, Mitch Farris and Sam Aldegheri are options in the fifth spot for now, with prospect George Klassen also looming. As with the O’s, it seems likely that the Angels will add another arm from outside the organization between now and spring training.
From a payroll perspective, the swap gives Anaheim $13-14MM of spending power. Their projected $166MM payroll (via RosterResource) sits nearly $40MM shy of last year’s Opening Day mark. Baltimore’s projected $105MM payroll sits nearly $60MM shy of last year’s Opening Day mark, but the O’s now have an even more acute need for rotation help and fewer resources available to address that need.
Interesting
Very.
Didn’t think a year of Ward could fetch controllable starting pitching. Possibly an ace. O’s must be really spooked by those injuries.
@nukeg I agree. This is more return than I expected to get for Ward. Four years of potential #1 for Ward. May be a little early to tell since we do not know if he still has the same velo post injury. He hasn’t pitched more than 122 innings in a season, but it wasn’t long ago when he was a top 10 prospect in MLB.
I can see the Angels going out and getting a Tyler Mahle in free agency. Mahle worked with Maddux the past couple season in Texas. I can see them adding someone like Mahle. They also may just go with Johnson as the #5.
Rodriguez… a potential #1 LMFAO The guy cant walk out the the bullpen w/o getting injured… He’s done… you picked up our trash… and anyone thinking differently… wish you luck, but He’ll never pitch
Grod is a potential #1 if he stays healthy and takes a mild step forward from his last time being healthy. he was putting up mid rotation numbers. no one is saying he is there now… honestly the only way this makes sense is f the Os were already abut to move grayson to the bullpen to stay healthy.
i mean a little harsh but i think you have generally the right idea. more than likley the O’s know stuff about G’s health and they ain’t betting on it. they just traded 4 years of an “ACE” to put a another bat into a already crowded outfield. they got what they could and felt this was as good as it’s gonna get. but your right. hes probabbly allways going to be hurt.
If I’m grading this trade. I give the Angels an A, and the Orioles a C-
Grayson is washed. Or at least the O’s think so (and it looks like it). His electric stuff is gone. More of a back end starter now, when available.
@seamaholic. But a million dollars isn’t bad for a 5th starter either. Angels need a centerfielder,third baseman,utility guy, still another starter and three bullpen pieces with 60 million to play with. I guess he replaced Hendricks.
It’s a decent gamble for an expiring deal. Heck depending on how the wind blows they might even get him back next year. Kind of deal the Angels should be making more of IMO. Still trying to figure out what the Orioles are doing. Kind of deal THEY should be making if they really don’t want to play(Pay) for FA pitching.
@unclemike. Its setting up for more trades maybe orioles have a deal for kjerstad for a pitcher. The orioles could banking on cheap pitching if they wait on free agency.
If they are that’s a horrible strategy. What they should be doing is trying to capitalize on Holliday and Ruschman’s prime years.
Kjerstad… you all kill me… He’s a wash out… He’s got an undisclosed iddue but he isn’t big league
This isn’t a trade the Orioles should be making from the reverse prospective. Grayson isn’t going to pitch this season, probably not the next, or the one after that. They desperately needed more outfield depth for this season and got it.
Maybe get 40 IP total?
Ward needs to be better than Cowser, Oneill Kjerdstad, beavers et al to get playing time in a corner OF slot. none of them are CF (cowser adn now ward are the closest, but that is a bad idea). DH is going to be blocked by the C not playing (Adley or Basello).
I also want to note, the window is pretty wide for the Os.
An Ace has to make starts. Rodriguez has missed twice as many games to injury than he has started.
Your division rival made a splash!
Goku, you clearly don’t understand what you got. Ward is streaky and will literally carry the team during those times, similar to what Trout used to do and what Ohtani regularly does. He goes through stretches where he is that good. Not to mention he is reliable and doesnt spend much time off the field injured. Also, every team needs pitching, always. You can’t have enough. But having reliable arms is where it’s at. Clearly, the O’s don’t see Grayson as someone that’s going to be reliable in the future. If they did, they wouldn’t have traded him. It’s that simple. The Angel’s got worked on this deal.
@nukeg The O’s just got a reliable, steadfast defender and bat. The only piece of the Angel’s line up and field that you could count on. The Angel’s most stable piece. If I am the O’s and I want to win next year I do this deal everyday, and all day. Why wouldn’t you make this trade? They are trading a pitcher that hasn’t proved to be reliable, who can’t stay healthy and someone that you have to plan your teams future without. He may not even get out of Spring Training this year. I hate this trade. I’m not the scout that went and watched him pitch before making this trade so I hope that I am wrong. But on paper, this is just a bad trade with a less than 50% chance for upside for the Angels. There’s no guarantee here for the Angel’s but it’s almost a guarantee that the O’s just got Angel’s. I am speculating that this has more to do with money but now there’s a gaping hole where you didn’t have one before.
Crazy more like it
Baltimore needs pitching, already has plenty of low avg power bats.
This trade makes absolutely no sense for them
Os needed a power bat. Tell me who the other low average, power bats are. Ill argue that there are only low average players with low to middling power.
I’d have given them Santander back.
You’ll be saying the same about Grayson!!
JB blueprint for Arte Moreno’s “Don’t Spend, Just Pretend” offseason:
Step 1: Sew in Jorge Polanco
Veteran switch-hitter, plays second and third.
Cheap-ish, versatile, and won’t make Arte flinch at the ATM.
Gives the lineup a pulse and lets Neto breathe.
Step 2: Mullins in Center (Free Agent Edition)
Cedric Mullins brings speed, defense, and lefty pop.
No trade needed—just Arte’s signature on a modest deal.
Trout DH,
Step 3: Teodosio Insurance
Rookie Bryce Teodosio: elite glove, bat still in beta.
Plug him in late innings or let him start if Mullins costs too much.
Step 4: Senga Surprise
Kodai Senga: Mets ace with a contract Arte might actually stomach.
A package of prospects Angels offer Caden Dana, their towering righty with mid-rotation upside, and rookie Sam Aldegheri, left hand starting pitcher, infielder or catcher in Single A ball
they have Tyler O’neil. this isn’t about what they need. it’s about what they can get……. before the world finds out for sure, that Grayson. is, and allways will be hurt.
They should’ve pushed for another premium prospect or two.
Goku the Knowledgable One: The Orioles know Rodriguez better than any other organization does, and he’s not getting any younger.
It makes plenty of sense for them if they believe he’s a TJ and/or TOS in waiting.
That combination could wipe out most of his time until he hits his 30s.
You don’t think the Angels had medicals?
You think Minasian, who is pretty much a lame duck GM, would have wasted this bullet on someone who couldn’t help him in 2026?
That doesn’t make any sense.
The O’s go back 10 years and sacrifice pitching in order to get homers.
Sometimes we know what a player is. This time we don’t, it’s all medical and no one is saying.
Elias is super rational, no way he makes this lopsided deal if rodriguez is going to be healthy any time soon.
Is it medical? FFS the guy barely got on the mound… of course it’s medical… these clowns referring to him as a #5 rotation guy… The Orioles need pitching… if we had hope for Grayson… we wouldn’t be trading him for a marginal 1 yr bat
Can someone make this trade make sense? Baltimore gave up an ace at best, back end starter at worse for Taylor Ward? What am I missing?
Like this move for LAA.
Rodriguez has great stuff when he’s healthy. Hope he gets right.
Yeah, but shoulder injuries can be dicey.
@birdie man. Yeah, but he has 4 years of control, and wasn’t terrible just injuries. Probably the best they could get.
I think this is a trade every team should make more often. Sure its risky both ways but these two teams need to take that risk. Ward in a walk year in the AL east should be fun.
The Angels are taking a gamble.
Rexhudler86: A TJ/TOS combo could sideline him for most or all of that time.
Maybe the Orioles thought it was time to get out from under that while the getting’s good.
Shoulder?? Dig more… there’s more to the story
I don’t see it as much of a gamble. The Angels already have enough corner OF. Adell will replace Ward.
Rodriguez is in his last year pre-arbitration and Ward is expected to make 13.7 million, so this saves the Angels about $13M, which they can use on other areas of needs, like 3rd base, CF or bullpen.
Adell is bad.
@flaming Adell had 37 HRs last season, is much cheaper, younger, and an extra season of team control. If picking between the 2 coming off a career best season Adell is the easy choice all things considered.
Thats before factoring in GRod and 4 seasons of team control. Both combined are cheaper than Ward as well.
What’s bad was this trade by the O’s.
2025
2.7 WAR vs 1.2 WAR
4 year average
2.6 WAR vs 0.4 WAR
One is above average.
The other below.
As hitters.
One is just had his 5th straight season above average.
The other has had one in 6 seasons above average.
Which one do you want to pay anything for?
@outinleft That depends on what the cost is in this instance the difference is significant.
Adell is a hair over average not below as well. But for the savings and 4 years of huge savings in a SP, by all means this is easily Adell and GRod over Ward.
1.2 WAR is below MLB average of 2.1 for a position player with a qualifying number of PA. Adell was below average in his best season in 6 years.
@outinleftfield Adell is 26 and Ward is about to be 33. IF you look at the past 5 or 6 seasons, you are not comparing apples to apples. Yes, it took Adell a long time to show he can contribute, but it also took Ward a long time to get there as well.
Adell and Ward had similar years in terms of oWAR. Adell WAR is worse due to his dWAR. However, if Ward was the one forced to play CF, it would have been much worse for Ward.
GoogleMe: Tim Dierkes thinks the Angels are seriously gambling:
“I’m searching for an explanation why the pitching-needy Orioles would trade a pre-arbitration mid-rotation type starter with 238 2/3 pretty good big league innings to his name and four years of team control remaining for one year of what looks like, at best, a 2.5 WAR outfielder.
Rodriguez has never had Tommy John surgery, and I should be clear that I’m not a doctor and have no idea what shape his elbow is in beyond what’s been said publicly. But in searching for the answer to that apparent mismatch, I wonder if the team that knows Rodriguez best either thinks he’s likely to have Tommy John surgery or another major arm injury relatively soon, and/or thinks he cannot hold up as a starting pitcher and will need to move to the bullpen.
This got me thinking about research I commissioned from Bradley Woodrum nearly a decade ago about the risk factors for Tommy John surgery. Bradley found that number of days lost to an arm or shoulder injury in the prior year was ‘among the most important predictive factors for TJS.’”
@Alfred E Neuman. Wouldn’t surprise me if he has a partial tear like Tanaka. I guess he’s the outlier, haven’t followed his career since he went back to Japan, but i think he avoided TJ with stem cells. At the end of the day im sure angels are expecting only two years of Rodriguez. That’s how it is with pitching. Angels need a front of a rotation starter and miracle, and that’s this trade
Agree, these teams really have nothing to lose, and should take chances.
The O’s clearly don’t think he’ll return to pre-injury form.
@Alfred What are the Angels gambling? A last year of a 2.5 WAR player at best? What would the Angels do with that 2.5 WAR this year? Even if GRod turns out to be a dud, the Angels are also saving $13M in savings, which can be used for an additional player..
To me the risk lies with the Baltimore. There are examples of players that were injury prone early in their career like Tarik Skubal, that turned out be pretty good. The O’s cannot withhold information when making a trade. The Angels have access to whatever information is available.. If it is a risk, they have determined it is a risk worth taking for a pitching starved franchise. However, I would not be surprised if he needs TJS at some point, few pitchers avoid it for their entire career.
Time will tell which team got the better of the deal. Lets look at the WAR in 4 years. We can look at the WAR for Ward’s 2026 season vs the 4 years of GRod. My guess is the 4 years of GRod will be better.
@googleme. Grayson Rodriguez said they didn’t even check his arm. Angels didn’t request anything. I guess its possible they got everything from Baltimore, but that scares me.
What part of Adell at his best is far below average do you not understand? Adell has not contributed yet.
What part of Ward is above average do you not understand? He has had a 2.6 WAR average over the past 4 seasons.
Google, leftfield nailed that one. You didn’t even get their ages right.
Adell, who turn 27 in April, is hot garbage. Last season was his best season in parts of 5 seasons on the major league roster. That season was 1.2 bWAR and a move to RF full-time would not have increased his WAR because of the adjustment in WAR for the position played. The difference is 9.5 runs with RF at -7 runs while CF is at +2.5 runs. No team whose goal was playing in October would count on a player like Adell to be anything more than a #4 OF.
Ward, who is 31 and will be 32 for all of the 2026 season, was 5% better than Adell on offense last season, 20% better over the last 4 seasons in both OPS+ and wRC+. Ward has also been better in the OF on defense than Adell. Look at what StatCast has to say about that.
baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/taylor-ward-6…
baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/jo-adell-6661…
Ward has been a consistently above average major league player while Adell has been a borderline non-tender player his entire career including 2025. If Ward moved from LF to CF his bWAR would have increased even while playing poor defense because of the positional adjustment I mentioned in the first paragraph in regards to Adell.
AEN, here are my thoughts on Rodriguez. Rodriguez has not picked up a baseball in 16 months. According to articles on this site he has not started a throwing program so far this year. Starting pitchers in the majors take 3-4 weeks of total shutdown after the season ends and begin their throwing program with soft toss that slowly increases in intensity and distance about 13-15 weeks before the start of the regular season. That is early to mid November. Mound work usually starts before the end of November unless your team went deep in the playoffs. He hasn’t started any of that.
Rodriguez’s medical reports must have said his arm and shoulder was in tatters for the Orioles to jettison a pitcher with middle of the rotation stuff when healthy for a rental OF.
@Bak Pak. On foul territory, he said everything was good, and he was starting to train. Robert Stephenson says that every year, and has pitched three innings in two years.
I have a feeling that the Angels are going to get from Rodriguez something similar to what they have from Stephenson.
I read about his interview where he said he was training. That contradicts what was reported on this website in late September when both he and Elias said that he had not started throwing the ball, but was still somehow expected to be ready for spring training.
Adell has been plus value for 3 of the last 4 years. Thats despite being forced to play CF which had a negative impact on his WAR.
Ward however played in a corner OF not the premium OF position that Adell had.
You can ignore reality, but it does not it.
More than replacement level is not plus value. Adell in his best season was below average.
Adell was the very worst OF in MLB in 2025. The worst. Even worse than Castellanos. As in very, very bad. Playing a premium position didn’t make him valuable. Moving him to RF would not have helped him have a higher value since RF is inherently worth less than CF. Not a small portion less, 9.5 runs less.
You are obviously ignoring reality. Unfortunately, I see Adell nearly every home game.
Thats actually debatable as far as if WAR dictates rankings and average.
Let’s set WAR aside Mullins, Lee, A.Martinez, Moniak, Cruz, and Walker all were worse than Adell in 2025. Thats just the surface as well and its pretty much without question.
And he’s got a great moniker — Gray Rod.
He personally said he goes by Grod, not GrayRod. I prefer the latter just stating facts
He won’t be healthy ever again. His shoulder is shot.
Where was your residency?
cbssports.com/mlb/news/grayson-rodriguez-trade-ori…
Have to, sort of, agree.
Rodriguez looked to be a league averagey starter, with some potential for more. I think they him for at least 3 years.
They, probably, “win the trade” purely from a value standpoint. But, not sure that’s the type of player they should be targeting. Don’t think they’ll be serious contenders during that window, but, if he comes back they can move him.
Baseball Trade Values says: Rodriguez $26 million. Ward $3 million.
Yeah I don’t get this one.
You do know that Rodriguez has been injured every year since 2022 and DNP in 2025? I’d say tgis is a huge gamble for the Angels. With Ward you got 30+ homers and 90+ Rbi guaranteed.
nothing is guaranteed
Guaranteed, because he’s done it once in 8 seasons? This is a horrible trade for Bmore.
I thought Elias should have been fired before. Now, I know that he should have been.
You do know Ward is entering his 33 year old season and had a career year? He too has been injured a lot. Defense is bad. Never throws out a runner. covers very little ground. Not fast. Hit .220. The Angels save money that they can add to other players. This kid is Tyler Glasnow. If they can get 125-140 innings a season and pitch at a high level–especially the playoffs it’s a steal. Angels need two more starters. A true #1. Go get King and Mahle. detmers becomes the #6 and goes back to the pen. Minor league pitchers get another season to develop. Dana, Klassen, Besmer, Johnson.
Rs108
“With Ward you got 30+ homers and 90+ Rbi guaranteed.”
Umm
@Redstitch Were the Angels reimbursed for all the guaranteed HRs and RBIs they did not receive from 2018-2024??
How many years has Ward accumulated that 30/90 guaranteee kind sir?
There is no safe bet that Rodriguez ever pitches again like his former self. Rodriguez has been injured every year at some point with shoulder related problems and had an elbow surgery last year. His velo was way down in spring training this year and they shut him down again. I wouldn’t compare GRod to Glasnow because recurring shoulder injuries are career enders. Glasnow only had a shoulder injury when altering his delivery to protect his elbow.
Oh dam. Oriole fans, I can get the overpay. Last year we traded Joey Loperfido, Jake Bloss, and Will Wagner for Yusei Kikuchi.
This will be an overpay if GRod is healthy for even ONE season. Elias obviously has no faith that he will get healthy.
This site has the best crystal balls.
And the O’s front office knows we need pitching,, we take gambles… that’s why we suck… but Grayson… he’s done
I mean, if I want the World Series, go for it. We really have to wait until 2027 to learn the true results.
If Mike Elias is, he should return to Houston as scouting director.
The Dodgers are not trading Tyler Glasnow. In what case do you think.
Detmers should be in the rotation. One of the smoothest and most repeatable deliveries in basebsll. His biggest obstacle has been his head and an over reliance of his slider. He is on my preseason list of Cy Young candidates.
He is the perfect flip candidate. If he is healthy, pitching is always in demand and can be flipped for some top prospects.
If he’s not, all it cost you was someone who wasn’t part of your future anyways.
league average starter? No. If he’s healthy Rodriguez has ace potential.
AWFUL trade for Baltimore!
The “If he’s healthy” is kind of a big proviso.
The teams have the medicals, We don’t. That this is the best that Elias could get kind of implies that no one thinks Rodriguez is a safe risk. I would guess that a team that’s great at developing pitchers like the Mariners would have offered a couple of good but recently drafted arms at low A but that’s not what the O’s need. You’re an M’s fan, look at how little Kowar cost
that’s a big “IF” based on his history.
Then why are we happy? LMAO…You’ll be lucky to get 5 games out of him
Unless you have a time machine, you’re never going to get a fully healthy Rodriguez.
Rodriguez has made 43 starts over 3 seasons. 43 starts out of 99 possible starts. 3.5 seasons and 110 starts if you include the time he missed on the IL after he was scheduled to be called up in 2022. He has a 4.11 ERA and 97 ERA+. He has been a league average starter that is injured far more than he is healthy. He is not and never has been an Ace or even close to an Ace.
Baltimore looked at his medicals and thought that he would never be any healthier than he had been in 2023-2024 and decided that was not worth whatever he would be paid, so they traded him. Traded him for a proven above average, but not exceptional major league OF.
The Angels looked at his medicals and thought he will be really cheap and if we get 5-6 starts out of him each of the next 4 seasons it will be par for the course and we get to save $11 million this year. The Arte Moreno way. Trade for pitchers with potential that can’t stay healthy.
And Mike Maddux now there to improve the pitchers.
That’s an underrated point re Maddox. I think it’s a good pickup too, but we’ll see what else they do.
what’s a pitching coach going to do that Dr’s and PT hasn’t been able to do.. If he ever pitches… I can guarantee that elbow blows and he needs TJ
Me too g-rod is the real deal
I mean, how can you not? They traded 1 year of an expensive (for what can be reasonably expected from him), so-so 31 year old corner OF for 4 years of a 26 year old SP with legitimate ace upside.
EASY Angels W here.
I think you have to look at the GM’s involved here. I am not an Orioles/Angels fan but I would trust whatever Elias is cooking every day of the week and twice on Sunday compared to that coming out of Minasian’s fetid kitchen. There is just very little that has impressed me about anything Minasian has done, ever. On that alone, I would say Elias will win any trade between the two of them, by a landslide. Like stealing candy from a baby.
I wouldn’t trust Elias at all. Last year he was the sucker who signed the oft-injured Tyler O’Neill after his great walk year. Now he goes and trades Grayson for one year of Ward. Minasian wins this one.
Ward is projected to make almost $14M after arbitration this year. How can you win a trade “in a landslide” when the other team is getting over $13M in salary relief for a player who averages 2 WAR per season and is gone next year?
If the Angels never see Rodriguez pitch a single game in the MLB, they still gained enough salary relief to procure a Bader or Polanco in this exchange. Plus four years of a high upside player. That’s a lot of “candy” to steal from Elias’s cradle.
clearly you have not seen these players play! Ace potential with 4 yrs of club control for one year of an average OF at a high cos.t.
@Hammerin Elias also made the deft trade for Trevor Rogers which was panned at the time but looks quite becoming in hindsight. His trade for one year of Corbin Burnes looks great in hindsight as well. Perhaps he’s a better trader than he is evaluator of free agent talent. Also ownership has a tendency to meddle more in free agent signings, acting rashly and directing GM/POBO to sign certain guys. Not sure if that’s the case here, but we see that a lot in the AL West with Arte Moreno and Jim Crane on a whim demand a certain player be signed when it totally makes zero sense at the time.
The Orioles have held guys for so long that this return seems pretty light. I didn’t realize their outfield was so questionable this year.
@wade. Maybe trading kjerstad for pitching.
Kjerstad has a really low value now though
Makes you wonder if the O’s think he won’t be the same when he pitches again.
Why do people (not Angels) fans constantly dis Ward? The DUDE hit 36 dingers and drove in 96 runs. That’s good production in my book.
A lot of Angels fans respect Ward.
But there’s only one year left on his contact, he’s a middling defender with positional limitations, he strikes out a ton, doesn’t make enough quality contact, and is fairly expensive for his skill set in his final year.
The Angels are nowhere near contending, so it’s been time to trade him for something of longer term value for a while.
@Redstitch Its not necessarily an indictment of Ward. They gave up quite a few yes of team friendly high upside starting pitcher potential for one rental season of an OF coming off of a career year.
Those 36 HRs and 96 RBIs are also far from guaranteed. Hes also been putting the batter on the ball less and less each season that has passed.
If they wanted to contend they would offload Soler and keep their decent guys like Ward, then add through free agency. That is a pipe dream. They should tear it down but the owner won’t bite the bullet.
King Floch: Unless, of course, it isn’t.
I was simply giving a “day of trade” verdict.
On paper, it’s a clear Angels win, but if Grayson’s arm disintegrates almost immediately and Ward hits like 35-40 HRs in 2026, the final grade will obviously look a whole lot different.
I want everyone’s final grade right now. No takesy backsies.
You first
F-
A+
As of now, it’s F——————- for Baltimore.
For the Angels, it’s an A+.
But hopefully Grayson Rodriguez gets another surgery and Taylor Ward wins a silver slugger or something.
ASTROS27! Why would you wish for any player to get injured?
Whoops.
My bad, I was joking and know I see it’s not a funny joke. Apologies.
The trade is only a win for the Angels if Rodriguez is able to return, stays healthy, and is able to pitch at least as well as he did prior to injuries that have kept him from throwing a baseball at all since mid 2024.
If Rodriguez returns and throws an average of 15 starts per season at a 4.11 ERA, which are his career averages, from 2026 through 2029, the Angels would come out slightly ahead in the trade.
I do too. It’s a lot easier to find quality outfielders than quality starting pitchers. Unless you are Cleveland, that is.
Orioles giving up on Grayson already? What?!
And they need starting pitchers why did they trade one of their better ones??? Is his health that bad?
It may indicate they are planning to sign a starter, or make a trade for a starter. They’re not doing this in a vacuum, We just don’t know what the next move is, but they do.
You can plan to sign a starter all you want, but the starter has to want to sign with you. See Corbin Burnes. This would make sense if they had already signed said starter, but doing it before? Makes zero sense to me. This one is a head scratcher for sure.
the orioles didn’t even make an effort to sign Corbin Burnes!
Of course they did. They offered more per annum than Arizona. Burnes wanted to be close to his family. It’s well documented.
huh? $45 million a year for 4 years is not an effort?
Mariner, that’s simply not true
may want to delete this.
Grayson is injured… CONSTANTLY… Orioles have one of the best medical staffing.. Stop scratching your head… it’s right there in front of you. FFS we signed Tomoyuki Sugano… yet we are willing to let Grayson go… think about it
How can you even say that??? O’s offer was 4 yrs 180Mil Corbin’s wife wanted him closer to home
Speaking of Corbins, the Os should go out and sign Patrick Corbin to a three year deal.
Stop.
He’s never pitched over 122 innings as a pro. With his injury history I was looking to see if maybe the O’s would move him to high leverage reliever role. This move makes more sense.
I would imagine this frees up Kjerstad and/or Beavers and/or Bradfield as trade bait for a more dependable starter.
Why do people think moving a guy to be a RP is easier on players bodies. John smoltz he’s a HOF pitcher, he pitched for the braves. Pretty good pitcher. He’s literally said being a RP was way harder on his arm.
Yeah I was into the idea just because clearly being a starter has been hard on him so why not try something different. But I’m more than happy with option b which was to trade him.
Because you’ve seen a lot more guys that have had issues staying healthy, make a successful move to the pen. Most recently Mason Miller for example.
Everyone is different and one plan doesnt work for everyone. But in general, throwing less pitches per game is helpful. Most guys are stronger on pitches 1-20 than they are 80-100. Pushing that 100 mark and mechanical breakdowns can put added pressure on the arm. You can also still go 4 days off in between appearances, even if you only threw 15 pitches. Just an easier time managing volume and impact on the arm.
Ever heard of a guy named Mason Miller???
Yeah I agree it’s not easier on their arm. Anyone intelligent knows that.
ThatsIT? Thanks Captain Obvious. Everyone and their cousin knows that Smoltz pitched for the Braves.
Obviously they don’t because he always talks about it relief pitching being harder on his arm and yet people still suggest it for every starter.
Kjerstad is likely done so there’s no trade value. Clay Holmes ended his career with beaning
He’s similar to Tyler Glasnow. You stockpile these type of guys when you can.
Kjerstad is done… He’s got issues…”undisclosed” I doubt he ever plays in an O’s uniform… you guys want him too 😀
Just beyond baffling.
As an Orioles fan, I absolutely friggin’ HATE this move.
I’m 100% fine with it. If Grayson miraculously gets healthy and stays healthy it could be a bad trade obviously. But we need good and dependable starters. This move means we can stop hoping and move on.
Also Ward is a solid player with pop from the right side. Good balance for the lineup and like I said above, this must be a precursor to a trade for a starter. Too many OF assets to not trade one.
Cards need outfielders. Wonder if sonny and some money would lift his no trade for baltimore.
We already have multiple Wards on the roster, we didn’t need another low AVG, low OBP, high K guy who plays mediocre defense.
Maybe they package some of those similar OFers for a pitcher. O’Neill isn’t going anywhere, but Cowser or Bradfield might.
KF
Ward’s real value might be his consistency but I don’t get bailing on Grayson’s upside either. Even if he eventually needs to be a load-managed once-thru-the-order pitcher, that’s a useful player in this division.
Ward is good He has a GREAT eye but got hurt by alot of bad calls. He seemed to get frustrated and started guess hitting. Worked ok. They will add the new umpiring next year and I think he will do better. When he is right he is one of the best .He also will see alot of pitches and will get alot of full counts.
did a BOT write this nonsense?
Take it easy. Ward only hit .220. K’d a lot. Very limited defensively. No speed. Won’t throw anyone out from left. And he’s coming off a career year. His previous HR high was only 25. $13.5M salary and only one-year of control. Grayson has four years of control and cheap. If he can average 100 innings a season it’s a steal for the Angels. Big arm. Major talent. Maddux is the new pitching coach–that’s only going to help.
@Tim Wjat makes you think he ll do better? He has made less and less contact every year that has passed.
Not sure what makes you think hes suddenly going to see a lot of full counts either. Empirical data tells a whole different story than the fiction you are telling…
I can see them moving cowser. I think they’re coveting Bradfields speed and glove. Don’t see him going anywhere
No we don’t. Last year hr leader on Os had 17. Thats 17. Ward hit 36. A little thump was needed. Plus Rodriguez was not going to pitch more than 50 innings after missing 2 yrs. So next yr is useless.
Because he was doing that as well as not chasing. He suddenly started getting called out alot on bad calls. He then started chasing, later he started guess hitting. The full counts is based on observation before he changed his approach. His glovework drops after running into walls but seems to improve over time on ball hit near walls. I think he could get hurt again but he has been hurt the last few years with the kind of injuries that can lead to more apprehension at the plate. I think he will go back to his old way and cut back his guess hitting. He may see his homeruns drop slightly but I think he should do well. He is very good at judging pitches, and most chases are ones with a lot of brake. I think he should be very good with the new call challenge. As long as you are correct don’t lose a challenge. It is not just just one stat it is the context and observational information, I also think he has had his fielding affected after running into walls. This gets better with time. This mostly is, just plays near a wall or rail. I think that is why he has different fielding ratings by different rating systems. When right he can be a solid glove.
Just curious what are your thoughts on Trout moving off CF. I don’t think CF increases the chance of injury. He has not shown a drop in production linked to fatigue. It may have the least ways to get hurt other than fatigue or Sprinters injuries like hams or calves.This has not been a problem for Trout. I have not seen much data on this , but I think it kinda says the same.
Do the Orioles not need a power hitting outfielder? In a proper lineup with a good hiring coach Ward is going to be better than he was in 2025.
Most of us Angels fans were expecting a Ward for a SP trade, but I have to admit nobody saw this..
Who would’ve thought the angels of all teams could turn 1 year of a slightly above average outfielder into 4 years of top prospect potential
They were really playing the long game with Taylor ward after all
It’s a great move for the Angels and an awful one for the Orioles.
They should’ve traded him if they got an absurd package. Taylor Ward is not the absurd package. Is his righty bat good for Camden Yards?
They desperately needed a RH OF bat in the lineup. Five years ago us orioles fans would be salivating. But they moved the fences back so it’s less of a hitters park.
They moved the fences in last season!
😳
Whaaaaaaaaaaa????
Royals have to be frustrated. First Grisham and Torres accept QOs, now this.
I’m sure they can sign a free agent I would much rather sign a free agent than trade for someone. Especially someone with not that many years of control
I think the royals are going to be fine missing out on those two.
Poor Royal fans
Do you think they could look at Jake Meyers for a potential outfield accuqistion. A lot of dominoes are falling from this trade, with one big trade target for a lot of teams off the market, more teams will look at Jake Meyers for a controllable and salary friendly productive and good defensive outfielder.
Angels just lost this trade
Why? 4 years of a young SP is exactly what they need. A Corner Outfielder who will be a FA is not.
Keep dreaming that salary cap thing is never happening in baseball
not a change he’d got to the Pie Rats. There was no bidding. he was going to go back to SEA unless another contended offered way more.
Or will it… owners almost rolled out replacement players the last time
How do you figure? 4 years of control on Rodriguez for 1 of Ward. Ward is a decent player but in a rebuilding team that has zero potential Frontline SP options, it makes a lot of sense.
Theres certainly risk but even if Rodriguez ends up in the pen like a Mason Miller, its a win.
Control only matters if Rodriguez actually pitches. he has not done much of that missing all of 2025 and making only 43 starts in 2023-2024. He has missed 56 of 99 possible starts while making only 43.
Since the beginning of 2023 Ward has played 410 games, 1367 per seasons, and put up a 6.7 WAR.
The best ability is availability.
Huh?? Rebuilding team getting a former top prospect with good talent. Even if he’s always hurt, a rebuilding team would always make this deal. Especially a team like LAA that can’t develop starting pitchers
Last time they developed a SP Washington as in office. They just pipeline off everyone else and hope the genie hasn’t left the lamp already
Ron Washington? That was just last year.
Unless Grayson’s arm is toast, the Angels won this deal by a MILE.
So they could have simply kept Ramon Laureano, had him for 7m less than they’ll pay Ward, and kept Graysoh Rodriguez?!?
The Angels lost? One year of Ward who is due for a regression and who has limited defensive abilities, no speed and hit .220– for an elite arm with four-years of control at a very small number? How do you figure? The game is won with pitching and defensive–the Angels have neither at the moment. This kid is now the team’s best pitcher. Add Michael King and trade for Ryan and suddenly this becomes a real team. 1. King 2. Ryan 3. Rodriguez 4. Kikuchi 5. Soriano
Rodriguez hasn’t pitched in 2yrs. 50 innings next is about his limit. If they’re lucky maybe 70. Os are win now.
Whoa one year of Taylor Ward
Which is why I’m glad the royals didn’t do this trade.
If Ward is the most the Orioles could get for Gray-Rod, most teams probably don’t like what his medical records look like.
Yup. His shoulder is messed up.
how come yr profile doesn’t say you’;re a doctor???!
Why can’t you construct a proper sentence?
I’d have to agree.
And neither does Baltimore
Why would the Orioles do this? For a team that needs starting pitching, this certainly doesn’t make sense.
He’s never healthy. Probably also a sign they are actually going to spend on some starters this offseason.
The Orioles did this because their hopes are not high that Grayson will ever be healthy enough to contribute anything of value. Do you actually think pitching starved Orioles would just jettison 4 years of a potential ace away for basically a year rental if they had any reason to believe Grayson gets back to his former level?? Elias knows what he is doing, he’s had lots of experience at this level anyway. Compared to Minasian the pissant, Elias is King Kong. Angels got fleeced.
You have to give something to get something, and as others have said, it likely speaks to how the O’s view Rodriguez going forward. Elias is also incredibly risk adverse when it comes to pitching, which is evident in how he drafts and runs the club.
I also think it’s likely that they’re lining up another move, and some young OFs might be on the move.
Terrible deal for the Orioles. Rather have Grayson in the bullpen for the season than deal him for a 36 HR hitting OF that did not have an .800 OPS.
Which should be an indication of how well Grayson’s shoulder has actually recovered. O’s were probably shopping him around and most teams said “nah, pass.”
Draven…you are joking. 34/96 is production. He’s going to hit better in Baltimore.
Interesting. You’re entitled to your opinion, but I can’t say that I agree. Even if we assume everything goes perfectly and Rodriguez was a great bullpen arm, the value of a RP goes down without leads to protect.
Personally, I think it’s too early to judge the trade.
Thanks, I despise it.
I’m not sure I understand this for the Orioles. I get Rodriguez has an injury history but for possibly 1 year of Taylor Ward??? Rodriguez still has a high ceiling I believe
Can’t reach that ceiling with two broken legs.
Orioles traded away pitching? what?
The Orioles must strongly believe they’ll be able to add quality starting pitching this offseason or they wouldn’t have made this move.
Or that Rodriguez is no longer a quality pitcher
I agree. But trading for Ward? They could do better than him? Really? Where the heck is he gonna play? Unless Adley and Mayo are getting moved, there’s no room at third, first or DH
Ward will be the Orioles left fielder.
This would allow the Angels to give some playing time to Matthew Lugo or Rasa.
This is a win now move so I am guessing the Orioles will be signing a couple front line pitchers.
The stove is hot
Angels could have an interesting rotation if they can manage to add a big arm in FA. Soriano, Kikuchi, Rodriguez, Detmers (if he can translate his bullpen success to SP) could actually be competitive.
Yet they will still finish in 4th place maybe 3rd if they get really lucky
Im not arguing with you on that point!
Wohhhh
Where the hell did this trade come from??
If ward is a fa after ‘26
And grayson still has 4 yrs left
Are we to assume grayson’s arm is dead?
Yeah, nobody expects the Spanish inquisition..
(everyone was saying Ward for a SP, but Grayson was not on the short list)
Safe assumption
So you trade 36 home runs out of a lineup that can’t hit for a pitcher with arm problems.
Sounds about right. Typical Angels move
At least we got 175 strikeouts out of the everyday lineup
Yup. You’re name says it all.
The soccer ref is right though. Don’t let screen names sidetrack you.
Angels would have had only one year left with Ward being a free agent. The Angels aren’t going to be competitive next year so they are building for the future.
Hate this move for the O’s, unless they have something else lined up. With 4 years of control even if Rodriguez moves to the pen he’d be worth a lot more than 1 year of Ward.
It’s not even December yet. Surely something else is coming.
I’m wondering if they have something cooking with the Pirates for Keller – maybe flip Ward and a prospect? Pirates are desperate for some offense and seem to be willing to spend a bit. Cinncy or KC also line up well with their pitching,
yes. I’m sure the always rebuilding Pirates will trade a solid #3 starter for one year of an OF. How does that help them?
Think before you post!
Read before you respond – I clearly wrote “and a prospect”. There are easily 6-8 young players they could pair with Ward that the Pirates would consider.
Orioles need pitching… so what do they do? Trade arguably their strongest arm (when healthy) for one year of an outfielder????? About a decade ago, the Astros showed the league how to rebuild and turn a losing team into a perennial contender. Now, the Orioles are showing the league how to squander a window of opportunity, blocking IF prospects, refusing to trade from areas of strength and instead, trading from areas of need. Ya, unless they know something about Rodriguez, this doesn’t make a lot of sense. Could they be trying to flip him?
If they’re confident they can bring in one of the top available starters via FA or trade, it makes a bit of sense. Probably would have been better asset wise though just to bring in someone like Bellinger to keep Rodriguez
I don’t get it. Not from the Orioles point of view.
@halo11fan. Now get belly, and its close to a push. Cheap pitching with 4 years of control.
I don’t get it from the Angels point of view. A broken arm for Ward’s production? Couldn’t we get a healthy arm?
@redstitch. I 100 percent get it from there prospective, and they need a centerfielder, and he’s more cost effective. Pitching is more expensive, and they have alot of holes to fill.
Even if Rodriguez is damaged goods, couldn’t try have gotten more from someone else? If they really wanted to trade with the Angels, they should’ve asked for Jo Adell. Younger bat that matches up with the timeline for their young guys. This is way too all-in for 2026 for no good reason.
Hey Agent… Do you remember who the GM was who successfully rebuilt that Astros team you’re talking about? Yep same guy who is in the driver’s seat right now in Baltimore. And yeah, he knows what he’s doing. Compared to amateur hour karaoke lounge singer Minasian who gets taken advantage of right and left. You have to presume Grayson is toasty roasty with a marshmallow shoulder.
You are talking about the guy who last off-season signed:
2025 Salary 2025 bWAR
Tyler O’Neill $16,500,000 -0.6
Charlie Morton $15,000,000 -0.8
Tomoyuki Sugano $13,000,000 1.3
Andrew Kittredge $10,000,000 0.6
Gary Sanchez $8,500,000 -0.5
Kyle Gibson $5,250,000 -1.1
Totals $68,250,000 -1.1
That’s almost $70 million to make the team worse. And the Os blamed Hyde for the season’s failure. What a joke. Grayson doesn’t have to reach the heights his prospect status suggested. If he turns into a decent setup guy, he’ll deliver more WAR over his four years of team control, at a much lower cost, than Ward will deliver in one year.
Bronx — Ramon Laureano: $6,000,000 / 3.8 bWAR
I know it’s an inconvenient truth, but let’s use all the data.
O’s
Does that make the total over $74M for net 2.7 WAR?
$27M+ per WAR.
There is going to be a line-up at your door, and on call-waiting, if that’s what you consider good work in this context..
kodion — Just pointing out an ommision. A glaring one at that.
As far as the plans of mice and men, well, Elias isn’t a mouse…
I’m eager to see what this off-season holds. This (not last season) is the new bench marks for the POBO and Ownership.
I’m still betting on Elias.
Trevor Rogers – 5.5 WAR
Most Orioles trade ever…(from an O’s fan)
Upside for the Halos. Maybe the os figure they’ll flip Ward otherwise why
“Rodriguez missed the entire 2025 season due to multiple arm injuries.”
How does this help the Angels?
Because hes 26 with big upside as a starter!
Right, but if he can’t stay on the field, it doesn’t matter. (Griffin Canning, Garrett Richards, et al. they all had great upside but remained injured a good majority of the time.
Hoping for the best as always.
Great trade for the Angels. Gotta give them props here. For a team that needs pitching, they acquired huge upside.
Not a great trade for the Angels
Ward has two years of control remaining, so he doesn’t fit the Angels timeline. For him, they get a SP with #2 upside and four years of control, which they desperately needed.
He’s a free agent next year.
There is no upside when you have years of being injured all the time.
I cant see how the Angels could possibly lose this deal. Ward is going to cost 10 million in 2026. Gotta like this move for the Angels.
Really like this for the Angels!
What in the world are the Orioles thinking? 4 years of a high upside young arm for a rental bat. Ward might have more WAR in 2026, but he’s also making way more money (est $11M in arbitration). Then the 3 years of Grayson should make this massively in the Angels favor, even if he’s just a 2-3 WAR player. Angels save money this year and get more future production.
I really like this deal. Ward is superfluous, meaning, how many corner outfielders does a team need? Grayson Rodriguez has four year of control.
It’s not about 2026, which is a lost season, it’s about those four years.
Great move for the Angels, but why would the Orioles do this?
@halo11fan. Im hoping the medical staff knows what they are doing, but he was probably the cheapest option with 4 years of control. They can pivot elsewhere.
I really don’t care about 2026. If he pitches 100 inning while working with Maddox, maybe he can figure out a way to utilize his stuff.
@halo11fan. Yeah he’s probably the Hendricks replacement. I’ve heard people saying its his delivery causing the issues, and it wouldn’t surprise me if maddux signed off on it. Hopefully he sees the problem.
We are two weeks in to the off season, and so far they Angels are doing well! I like the coaching staff.
This trade does a lot as well. It frees up some $$, If frees up a log jam in the outfield. It “potentially” gives the Angels a good rotation piece.
I am a huge Taylor Ward fan. He plays baseball hard and gives the team everything he’s got. How can anyone not root for that kind of player. That being said…in the long run I feel the Angels will come out ahead.
His pitch sequencing caused him huge issues in his rookie season, which is typical for young pitchers.
If he gets his arm back, this has the potential to be the best Angel trade since Simmons.
72, I really like this off-season so far.
Halo, Last year seemed to start out well too, but then it stalled out.
I hope this year they keep their foot on the pedal all the way through.
@angelsfan1972. He’s the best name I’ve seen. What were the names or speculation from the media bohmn, Keller, singer. At the worse he replaces Hendricks. Now we have more money for the other 6 holes. It was about 60 million to spend now that increases, they could also trade soler for a non tender candidate to free up more.
@rexhudler86 Singer was an interesting proposition, but that would have been just trading 1 year rentals. I think G Rod has a lot more upside. Especially when you factor in the payroll savings.
The four-years of team control makes this a win for the Angels.
Im confused who won the trade?
Baltimore the way the Angels ruin nice things Grayson will be beyond cooked before July
Grayson is already cooked apparently.
We have Mike Maddox now, things can change.
Think LAA is getting the better of the deal longterm. BAL must either be trying to cash in on whats left of Rodriguez’s value or are going to be spending big in the SP market.
Cease
Head- scratcher
I am glad to see Taylor Ward out of the AL West. That man was a full-time Texas Rangers menace and a part-time stress test for my blood pressure. Be gone, sir. I wish he had packed his bags for the National League, but this will do. The AL West can now breathe again, and so can my snack budget during late-inning drama.
Wow, LAA is actually trying to improve their pitching.
Ward turns 32 next month. This is a no brainer gamble for the Angels to take. Even if G-Rod never stays healthy all they lost was a 32 year old on the last year of his deal.
This was a stupid trade. Not necessarily because you’re dumping four years of a superb but injured pitcher, but because you’re getting back someone who Ks a lot, has bad defense, can’t run, and will be a FA in one season.
You make good points
I kind of like it
Wow. Grayson Rodriguez. Geez. Looks like the angels can compete in 2026. He is healthy. He can pitch. New look angels. Lugo can hit. Rada can hit. Soler can hit.
The Angels’ offense was awful, now it’s worse.
I hope Elias’s hunch on Rodriguez’s shoulder is based on more than letting Coulombe go. 4 years or control vs. 1 makes this a head scratcher.
That’s a great trade for the Angels if Grayson can stay healthy. Impressed!
If
And even if not just in theory that’s a hell of a score for a year of Ward who ain’t all that. O’s are bananas.
Here’s a stat to consider. Going back to his minor leagues, GRod has been injured at one time or another every season since 2022. He’s only pitched in the majors for two seasons, and injuries might not yet seem like a track record yet. But 3+ years feels like a track record to me.
I wish him well, and hope he turns it around and turns in 200 IP seasons. But technically speaking, if he did that, that would be the first time ever, minors and majors.
Ok so, you have one of the worst pitching staffs in baseball, the best option you have is Trevor Rogers, who granted, had a great half year, it makes tons of sense to trade a former top 5 prospect who has had a decent amount of success in the bigs, cost zero money and has tons of team control for 1 year of a good but not great corner outfielder who takes up a portion of thr salary for a historically cheap Orioles team.
“Hey guys, let’s trade away from our biggest weakness to add to where we have a lesser need “
Wonder if part of this is because Rodriguez was drafted by Duquette. Current regime isn’t as attached.
That’s very much possible, either way wow, what a surprise.
While still a surprise trade that I think the Angels won, I wouldn’t say that Rodriguez has had a decent amount of success by any means. He had one healthy-ish season and the Orioles are well known for rejecting trades/signings due to physicals not meeting their standards. Like I said, I think the Angels won this just because of the years of control, but there’s many worlds where he barely pitches for them at all
@kapler
Yeah, it isn’t without it’s risks I’ll definitely give you that. Either way it’s fun to see surprise trades that come out of nowhere and discussing with other fans of the game.
By the way, W username haha.
Wow what in the world are the orioles doing!!??
So many questions.. Phillies were asleep here ? Ward would have solved a few problems for them.. O’s TRADE pitching ? Do they now try to flip O’Neill ??
Can’t imagine there will many takers unless they send money along.
Initial reaction is that the Angels won this big time. However, no one knows his injuries better than Baltimore. He had multiple injuries in one arm last year to miss the entire season. You ahve to think they may have an inside track on a starter, maybe Framber?
Poor sport Framber, the catcher killer? No thanks.
Ward has power, but a .220ish hitter who does not play center field and is a FA after next season
Grayson has #1 stuff and is under control thru 2029. True he can’t stay healthy, but this seams like silly trade. Ward is exactly what the Os don’t need. They gave Grayson away for a guy who doesn’t have a defined position, and helps in no with “solidifying” the batting order.
Os better be getting some big name pitching.
I dunno, the O’s need a reliable power hitter
How reliable can a guy be hitting .228
He plays more than half a season
Ask Cal Raleigh.
After this trade, the O’s now need 4 SPs
A team with O’s batters and Pirates pitchers could probably win 100 games.
And only 3 hitters instead of 4.
Steve’s dream trade ruined! No Singer for Ward for you!
As a reds fan I’m relieved
Ward has made himself into a good outfielder. Still can’t believe he played college ball down the road from where I once lived and is a former catcher, third baseman.
Respectfully, In no universe is Ward a good outfielder. Slow, noodle arm.. zero range . Streaky power bat = end of skills.
So with 36 home runs out of this line up
So with a little bit better pitching.
The angels will now lose 10-3 instead of 12-5.
You can’t pitch from the IL.
Ward can play in the much hitter friendly AL East. And the angels can have another arm problem pitcher
@soccer You fail to mention the million$ saved by LAA. That can towards replacing some of those 36 HRs that come with 1 in 8 odds.
WOOF
Another cheap bandaid move by the “Executive of the Year” Ellias. The Orioles need pitching and they traded away one of their only capable starters with 4 more years of control for a year of Taylor Ward who is barely an above average ballplayer. And people were telling me how great of a GM this guy was, nonsense
4 years of control of a suspect shoulder. I think the Orioles know this. At least angels didn’t let ward walk.
Instant reactions:
Angels: get younger and add to their pitching staff. Now, they need to supplement their outfield.
O’s: have a logjam in the outfield and lose an arm in their already thin pitching depth.
I guess Ryan Mountcastle at 8 million is a toasty shade of toast. it does seem like an odd move what with 2 years 32 million left for Tyler O’Niel, with Coby Mayo finally looking like the hot kid minors hitter, Basallo on the verge, Cowser and Beavers. What’s also weird is that they gave up Ramon Laureano who was having a great year and who had another year left at less dollars. They must have loved the package SD gave them for him and O’Hearn. I hope it works out well for both teams.
Mountcastle is gone.
Taylor is a great guy and a solid ball player. Sad to see him go.
And if Baltimore is willing to trade Grayson for a rental they must like his medical.
But this is a gamble a team desperate for arms needs to take. Let’s hope it works out for both sides.
Yes, this is a bold move from a Angels front office that HAD to make a bold move.
It may not work out, but how much worse than last place could the Angels fall?
I am fine with this.
13 starts where Grayson fulfilled his potential. That’s it. Was supposed to come up in 2022…got hurt. Stunk at Mike Wright level in early 2023 then had the 13 starts. 2024 was 20 kinda meh starts before hurt again. And hurt in 2025. No guarantee he will pitch in 2026.
I think the paper clips holding Grayson’s elbow together came from Temu.
Ward has been productive. If he’s .250-.260 with 25 or 30 HR that fills a big hole on the Orioles.
Net plus for Orioles.
Big loss for the Orioles.
Explain
GRods potential also comes for only $1M. If they get even 15 starts at his short career avgs for that price its grand theft. Thats not even factoring in all the years to come.
@tigers3232. Yeah it’s safe bet also to move money around. They can probably get Mullins, and a couple relievers for the same price as ward.
Rex why would they want Mullins back to not hit for them and play declining defense?
@Thornton because he’s the only centerfielder available on a affordable deal. Not like I care, but they won’t be signing anything past 3 years. Bellinger will get that
Rex – part of me says this move also means that they are banking on Cowser starting in CF. We’ll see though. This is way early for the Orioles to be involved in the offseason…much less making significant deals.
Yes he’s cheap on paper. But 1M for a guy always on the shelf. Heard from several places he and the team not getting along. I don’t think he’s healthy TBH. For the Orioles to give up 4 years of a cheap controllable pitcher for 1 yr OF bat…there’s more to this.
@thornton
Heard that too. Apparently GRod and the front office had serious issues with each other. I figured we’d get more than this though.
@Thorton Just curious, what leads you to believe he is not healthy?
Tigers – at last check last summer before he decided on the surgery, his velocity was down under 90 MPH. His ongoing injuries are a common precursor to TJ. I don’t think that he’s started throwing for 2026, but his surgery recovery may preclude him being ready and/or a strict innings limit in 2026. There’s also his history. For the Orioles to give up on a young controllable (cheap) pitcher, its saying something – either medical and/or his attitude.
That is a headscratcher from the Angels perspective. It leaves them with just one outfielder, Jo Adell, and even that one is suspect. Who will the Angels add to the OF mix. They can’t count on Trout or Soler and none of the options mentioned in the article are more than minor league depth level players.
In exchange for a solid Ward, the Angels get a pitcher with great tools who has spent more time on the IL than on an active roster since his debut in 2023. He has only 43 starts in 3 seasons. That is mighty scary. Maybe it’s all about clearing salaries.
More like a headscratcher from the Orioles’ perspective.
Ward is an impending free agent. The Angels were going to get to this point either now or in a year.
For the first time in forever they are being intelligent by trading rental players for younger, cheaper guys with upside.
Rodriguez could fill a desperately needed spot in the rotation while the Angels reallocate $13 million to fill other holes. Decent gamble for one year of Ward.
The Angels just traded their one and only solid and dependable OF. For a pitcher that missed all of 2025 and has averaged 14 starts per season in his career because he is constantly injured. Pitchers that have returned from having debridement surgery on bone spurs in their elbow have had TJ within a year 50% of the time according to the article from CBS Sports about this trade. If I was an Angels fan I would be ticked off by this trade.
This is incomprehensible. The Orioles need pitching more than hitting. They signed Tyler O’Neill last season to play left field. He’s their most expensive 2026 player ($16.5 MM). Now you trade for another left fielder? Why would you want Ward (31 yo; 2.7 2025 WAR, 9.9 career WAR, 36 HR, $13.7 MM), when you just gave away Ramon Laureano (31 yo; 3.8 2025 WAR, 17.4 career WAR, 24 HR, $6.5 MM)? And that’s putting aside that you gave up a real pitching prospect. Elias is clueless.
He certainly is.
The O’s signed O’Neill to play right field!
That should tell you very loudly and clearly that the Orioles don’t believe that Rodriguez will pitch much if at all in 2026. He hasn’t started a throwing program yet, so that is not all that hard to suss out.
In Las Vegas the over/under on starts by Rodriguez is currently 11 and the ERA is 4.35. Now that he is an Angel I took the under on starts.
Angels basically dumped an eight-figure expiring contract for a lotto ticket….
Is it weird to think that the Angels base gave Ward away while simultaneously thinking the Orioles sold low on Rodriguez?
@Rsox. They needed a centerfielder. ward just didn’t fit at the moment for the team. Mullins probably makes the most sense, and they needed a pitcher to replace Anderson.
I don’t see how you can say that Ward “didn’t fit” for the team. His departure now creates a hole in LF for the Angels. Now they need a CF and a LF.
Unless they plan on moving Trout back to the outfield in a corner spot, while leaving Soler as the primary DH.
This does clean up the OF/DH logjam. Soler is a terrible OF, but Ward isn’t that much better. Now Soler can play (if healthy) the easiest OF position, Adell can play RF or CF. Adell wasn’t good as a CF last year, but he’s got the tools, he came up as a CF, but with Trout on the roster, he never got a chance there (before last season, he had only 15 MLB games at the position). I’m not sure that he can’t be a league average defensive CF.
@orange2001. I was saying he didn’t fit because we had three left fielders. It was to spread the money around still have plenty of holes, but we got a cheap 5th starter. Soler, and trout are left fielders, not saying its ideal. Just cheaper to fill. Mullins at center would work for a year.
The Angels now have no LF. In the OF we have Adell, a RF that was below average last season. Soler proved that he is no longer capable physically of playing the OF last season. Trout played 22 of 106 games in RF last season and if he plays that many this season it will be because we failed to roster enough decent OF.
Are we going to throw prospects like Lugo to the wolves with no backup if they stumble? Or is Arte going to overpay for Bellinger or Tucker?
Adell was the worst OF in baseball by both StatCast’s Fielding Run Value and DRS. His range as measured by OAA was also at the bottom of the league.
Raises the floor for the O’s but lowers the ceiling
Where does Ward play? O’Neill is the highest paid guy on the team, so he’s got to play, and it’s a stretch to put him anywhere but LF. Cowser is only 26, he’s got four years of team control and his best season is almost as good as Ward’s best (and Ward’s 31). Other OF alternatives are Kjerstad,
Beavers and Barfield (who should be ready, if he’s ever going to be ready). Other than Barfield, all of these guys are best (and some not do great) in LF. If things work out for the Os. Ward could be the fourth best LF on the team.
In what universe was Colton Cowser’s best season “almost” as good as Tyler Ward’s best? Barfield??Jesse Barfield?? If Mike Elias is clueless, what are you???
Or Grayson is simply washed.
Anyone but the Angels and id be sure the Orioles just got fleeced. Seeing as it was the Angels, there is at least some chance Arte Moreno unilaterally made this deal happen, and everyone in baseball knows Grayson is broken.
That makes zero sense.
So you are basically saying if Grayson would have gone to any of the other 28 teams not involved in the trade, you’d think the O’s got fleeced.
The Angels have a highly respected pitching coach in Maddux. You don’t think they they consulted him and got his stamp of approval?
If you want to hate on the Angels at least make a better effort and come up with something that does not sound like you are trading baseball cards in your friends garage.
28 other teams didnt beat that offer for Grayson, Taylor Ward has very little trade value. Mike Maddux has nothing to do with checking G-Rod’s medicals, and the Angels have a history of doing stupid stuff. You are a very unpleasant guy.
Also, I said “some chance” by your comment im assuming you are of the sports radio caller fan variety, so cant understand nuance. On the surface this looks like a great trade for the Angels, I didnt say its certain or even likely Grayson is broken
How do you know Taylor Ward has very little trade value?
There has been plenty of talk about Ward for Singer. That to me tells me he has some trade value.
How do you know Mike Maddux has nothing to do with checking medical records? He has been in the game for decades. You don’t think he has seen more than a few medical records? You don’t think he has seen his fair share of injuries over there years? I did not say he was a doctor and offered medical advice.
Brady Singer also has 1 year of control left at a near market rate salary. Trade value is determined more or less by surplus value, guys a year away from free agency w relatively pricey salaries dont typically bring back pre-arb potential aces.
If a pitching coach is doing the medical check on an acquisition, the Angels are in an even worse spot than I imagined.
You may want to re-read my comment. Pay extra close attention to the last sentence.
You also said Ward and no trade value. So are you also saying Singer has no trade value?
That hole you are digging keeps getting deeper and deeper.
I already pointed out what drives both Singer’s and Ward’s trade value, and why they are about in equal in value while being worth far less than Grayson.
Typically a pitching coach would have nothing at all to do with the medical check of a player, thats all the team’s medical staff.
You are a very unpleasant person,if you get this upset because you dont agree with a strangers opinion on baseball, I can only imagine how you are with people irl.
You seem to be completely missing my point. I never said they are seeking medical advice from the pitching coach. I have been saying that this particular pitching coach has been in the league for a very very long time. Chances are he has seen many pitching injuries and can offer some insight as to what the Angels might expect from G Rod.
You can call me unpleasant all you want. If you are going to be sensitive to people commenting on your comments, maybe you shouldn’t make them.
I’ve been saying for months I’d be shocked if Rodriguez ever pitches again. If it’s not his elbow, it’s his shoulder. Season and a half now it’s still always something. Love this trade for orioles. His bum elbow and shoulder is now the Halo’s problem. Good luck.
He could never pitch another inning and this was still a smart trade for 1 year of Taylor Ward
I mean, it’s a smart trade for the Orioles. Ward had a WAR of 2.7. He’s moving from a pitchers park to a hitters park so you figure he’s only going to improve on that number. There are still holes for the Orioles to address. Starting pitching and relief pitching but offensively there’s no denying they are better now than they were yesterday prior to this trade. As for Rodriguez he has effectively been out of baseball the past year and a half with various elbow shoulder and arm injuries. The Angels literally gave up a quality player for a pitcher with a blown out arm who at this point seemly can’t even pick up a baseball let alone pitch.
@LernersWallet. Let’s revisit this in a year. I have a feeling you will be taking back much of what you just said.
In order to complete the trade medical records have to be exchanged. One would assume that Grayson is at worst case medically cleared. The Angels potentially have him for 4 years, and add a $13 million savings. It is not a bad move.
I hope Ward has another “Ward like” year. He is fun to watch and his team mates all seem to like being around him. Year one the O’s may have “won the trade” but years 2-3-4, I think the Angels will have surpassed it and come out as the winners of the trade.
Angels have to OK them. He might not be ready to pitch but the Angels felt the upside was worth waiting for. No idea though.
Agreed !
Got to love all the judgment from everyone who, at best, are only guessing on G Rods health.
Even if he partially pitches in 26, the Angels still have in for 3 more years at a very reasonable cost.
Do you know who is not guessing about Rodriguez’s health? The Orioles. They just traded him for 1 year of Ward and they believe that is a good deal for them or they would not have made the trade. .
The medicals must look pretty average. Ward is a pretty light return for a guy with a lot of upside.
Odd trade but I’m kind of hoping it works for both teams.
Will definitely miss saying T Dub!! On his flurry of hot streak homers but man the cold streaks are very cold and there cannot be a worse outfield defender in the bigs both from a range effort and arm strength perspective.
A healthy Grayson with Maddux tutelage could feed nations.
Well, since the last 40 years I already knew that the orioles organization were clueless, but now I can honestly see how mental they really are. They just gave up a young pitcher with another four years of control for a 32-year-old hitter when they have garbage for pitching. I don’t give a crap about the injury, he could have bounced back. This is why (and I say this with shame) MY TEAM will never win. You’re telling me that 29 other teams weren’t interested in Grayson? You’re telling me that they couldn’t get back pitching in return?
Relax. Neither will the Angels win. Trade will be a wash. At least Bird fans have experienced playoff baseball in the last 11 seasons. Angels worst run organization in MLB. All their moves end badly. This one will as well
If this were an elbow injury, I would agree. He’s had “shoulder” injuries which could mean a SLAP tear (labrum), or rotator cuff tear (tendons, muscles). Both of these tears do not heal on their own and surgery doesn’t give more than a 50% chance of returning to prior form. The recovery from surgery is also much longer than a UCL tear. The reduced velocity last spring training was a big red flag.
Trading Eddie Murray for a SS prospect (their own SS would not miss a game for 11 more years), a middling reliever and a minor leaguer was clueless. Trying to make up for it with the Glenn Davis deal 2 offseasons later may be the worst FO move since Sox selling Ruth to NYY.
Getting production in return for an injured pitcher who produced zero value in 2025 and was at least likely to do that again in 2026 is not a bad move. Grayson may recover in 3-4 years and be good. So what? The Orioles window will be shut and sealed by then.
For once, the Angels bet on upside in the rotation—and I’m here for it.
Grayson Rodriguez comes over from Baltimore with a power arm, a first-round pedigree, and yes, a surgically repaired elbow. But when this kid is healthy, the stuff is electric: upper-90s heat, wipeout changeup, and a frame built to eat innings. He’s under team control through 2029. That’s not just a lottery ticket—that’s a potential frontline starter if the medicals hold.
Taylor Ward had a monster 2025—36 bombs, 103 RBIs—but he’s turning 32 and entering his walk year. For once the angels got something in return Classic sell-high move. And let’s be honest: the Angels weren’t extending him.
This deal only works if:
1. Rodriguez stays healthy.
2. Perry adds another legit starter via trade or free agency.
3. Arte opens the wallet instead of the wine cellar.
Not going to pretend to understand this move by Minasian. I just hope he has something up his sleeve to fill an empty OF and that Rodriguez can make at least half a season of starts.
Saving a little money by shipping Ward out doesn’t appear like a smart move when all you get in return is someone who has made just 43 out of 99 possible starts in his career because of one shoulder injury after another. I would be far less concerned if he had Tommy John and missed a season than to hurt his shoulder and miss a year.
Left field – more like 43/110 or 115. Rodriguez was supposed to come up after the 2022 ASB but that got pushed back due to injury
Completely forgot about that. So 43 out of 110 starts. Not good.
This trade has me questioning…everything. I’m trying very hard to be patient and give Elias the benefit of the doubt regarding his next moves. However, this reeks of his typical too cute approach to roster construction. And on top of that we get to spend the next 4 years hoping we don’t have to relive Jake Arrieta
The Reds couldn’t do better than GMan???
My guess is that the Angels will use the 12-13 million saved from Ward to fill a void like 2nd or 3rd base. Trout will take Ward’s spot in the outfield. Soler will go back to DH. They will trade or sign another Starter along with some bullpen arm’s, with one being a closer (Jensen hopefully). I wouldn’t be surprised if the Angels sign a big name free agent the same week that the court case concludes in December
One must worry that putting Trout back in OF could mean he suffers season ending injury before June. Think DH is only way to keep him in lineup for 100 or more games per season from now to end of his career.
I think playing CF is less prone to injury. Unless he had a history of pulled leg muscles or fatigue. He can still play center well enough and that is where he has the most value. Forget about increasing injury, show me data that CF is not safer than any position.
They said the move to RF was to reduce wear on his body from playing CF so I think RF is where he’ll play when not at DH. Nationals did the same with Harper when they moved him from CF to RF and now he is at 1B with Phillies. I don’t see Trout moving to 1B.
Wow an intelligent angels trade? Never thought I’d live to see the day.
I dont get why Baltimore, who needs good arms would do this, unless they are splurging on a couple big arms in trade or free agency (Peralta, Valdez type arms).
They wouldn’t do it if they felt that Rodriguez would pitch in 2026.
Reds missed out. Again.
The trade works out for both teams and you don’t see that all of the time. While the O’s need starting pitching they’ve also been waiting on Rodriguez to blossom and it really hasn’t happened like they wanted it to too. They have a promising staff and some really good up and comers but the front office all said they would be aggressive in FA to bring a starter in too. Rodriguez is going to be 27 and has had trouble with injuries, it was time to move on.
As for Ward it’s a great pickup for BAL, they needed to break up that log jam of lefties in the lineup. And the Angles get a starter. Win, win
Elite pitching is the most coveted asset in baseball. Even if there are questions about Rodriguez’s health and long-term durability, he just turned 26 a couple days ago and has tremendous upside from what he’s shown at the MLB level. Players like Ward (corner infielder/outfielder types with slug) are a lot easier to find, and even easier to replace. Not to mention his downward trajectory on the other side of 30. Plus, he’s more expensive and headed to free agency. This makes absolutely no sense to me.
….the Tigers can’t seem to find them….or…even trade for them.
Of the 390 players that started 2025 on a major league roster, Ward finished the season 82nd. He was better than 308 of them.
Of the 390 pitchers that started on a major league roster, Rodriguez was better than none of them. Because he didn’t play at all.
Over the 2023-2025 seasons, of the 572 different position players to start the season on a major league roster, Ward was 69th. He was better than 503 of them.
Over the 2023-2025 seasons, of the 473 different pitchers to start the season on a ,major league roster Rodriguez was 108th. He had a 4.11 ERA and a 97 ERA+.
Each of the past 2 seasons Ward has produced more, not less. There was no decline.
Often injured pitchers that never live up to their potential are a dime a dozen.
It feels like Grayson has no interest in playing baseball. I wish him success. I don’t like or understand the trade at this point but i understand getting rid of g rod. Just have trouble seeing Taylor Wards role at this point. Guess I’ll let Elias finish the job and see what the product looks like at that point.
This makes no sense to me. Four years of a cheap, solid young starting pitcher with a lot of potential for one year of Ward. The Orioles desperately need pitching as well. Even if Rodriguez has more injury problems, he’ll easily be worth more than this.
I guess all the super hitting prospects we were told the Oreos had are not panning out
There is a reason why we as fans are not ever considered when a team hires a GM. We can only offer our thoughts and opinions. We are missing the or not privileged the reasoning behind trades. I would categorize this trade as a “Wait and See” kind of deal. One could definitely get the idea that there is something bigger brewing behind the scenes.
Many points to make:
1) Glad the O’s did something 2) You can’t trust Grayson to be a significant part of your rotation until he proves he can stay in the rotation all year, which he has never done. 3) Dislike the move, too much potential with too many years of control for a DH pretending to be an outfielder with only 1 year of control. 4) Defense in the outfield for the orioles will be a disaster. Cowser is not good enough in center to make up for Oneil and Ward in the corners. 5) Watch Grayson turn into an Arrieta or Gausman who excelled after leaving. 6) Then again, he could have been Bundy or Ponson (neither of whom reached potential) had he stayed. 7) The Angels did sneaky good getting that much potential for just Ward.
Angels fans should know he hasn’t pitched in 1.5 years. 26 will be to buuld up innings. He has had lat injuries evwry year sinxe 22 and shoulder, elbow injuries as well. His stuff is good to great at times…when healthy. Worth noting he was criticized for how he handled his rehab and also for not having his elbow surgery in offseason prior to 25 season. Instead he hoped it would be better. It wasn’t and he had it in August. Had he had it in offseason he would have been “healthy” for the 2nd half of 25. So there is that. Final point I was stoked when we drafted him, same for his arrival, albeit delayed by injury, lol. 4 years of injuries with a 1 year build up in 26′ coming. Os are in win now mode. Don’t let 25 fool ya. Lost our rotation for 2nd straight year and lacked a big bat and some veteran leadership. I see Os getting a frontline starter and maybe a big time bat too. holiday westburg gunner ward adley basallo cowser mayo beavers/oneil. Getring a Alonzo, Sxhwarber, Tucker, Bregman, etc would put this lineup next level. More protection for our young hitters and leadership. Free agent/trade #1, Bradish, Rogers, Free agent trade/#3-#4, Kramer
Really surprised. Orioles must have several deals in the works to trade other OFs for pitchers.
Seems to be the right move. A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush. This guy was too risky to rely on every 5th day. Now the ball is in Mike’s court to get some atm talent that we can depend on.
I wonder what’s going to happen to Heston Kjerstad. O’s have a lot of outfielders.
Kjerstad may not even play baseball this year.
That bean ball was devastating
They don’t which is why they need to get atleast 2. One injury(O”Neil will get injured) and they have no one to play and poor depth.
I feel like this is a genuine lose-lose trade. The Orioles dont need to be taking at bats away from the up and coming kids. This doesn’t invoke confidence in them. Ward is basically what you get when you take a replacement level player and give him plus power.
For the Angels, doesn’t this scream that Rodriguez is done? Dylan Bundy 2.0. (O’s won that trade, btw). Is there even a mention of a physical? This is a lotto ticket for them. Lotto tickets rarely payoff jackpots. My guess is Rodriguez does return. And pitches like a bottom of the rotation guy for a few years, with an occasional flash of what could have been. Basically Dylan Bundy.
Agree about outfield surplus. Im generally ok with 4 outfielders sharing 3 spots, but none play center well. And none have a strong hit tool. Id rather develop the younger guys or bring in a veteran whose been on a lot of professional and winning clubs. Someone like hernandez from the dodgers
Roguesaw2
Let’s not twist the Bundy-Rodriguez comp into a pretzel. Bundy was a salvage job — decent pitchability, but no electric stuff and a fastball that barely nudged 93 Perry rolled the dice and got one good year before the regression fairy showed up with receipts.
Grayson? That’s a different beast. 96 with life, wipeout secondaries, and actual upside. He had elbow cleanup surgery for bone spurs and chips last year — not a red flag, more like a tune-up. If he stays healthy, it’s not just a win — it’s Perry pulling a rabbit out of a hat while Arte checks the hat for coupons.
This is Perry’s blackjack table moment. He’s got a 16 showing, the dealer’s got a face card, and he’s hitting — hard. Grayson recovers and healthy if works out Perry buys himself another offseason. If it doesn’t, we’re back to séance mode,
Looks up his injury history. “Not a redflag”. Uhhhhhh. Hes refusing to get TJ and his arm is mashed potatoes now. The moment he tries to throw with life again its over. Both the Orioles and Angels know this. Which is why Ward was the only thing they got for what is technically a longterm controllable pitcher.
Duquette and hus minions destroyed the kid. But let’s not forget what he was: Bundy was a better prospect, as a prospect, than Rodriguez. Its not particularly close. “Franken-pitcher”. Threw an easy 100 as a teenager with a wicked cutter. Like “best cutter since Rivera” wicked. The O’s destroyed him. There was hope the Angels could fix him. They gave up four legitimate prospects for him. Bradish hit, Brnovich might still become a big leaguer. Didn’t work out. His arm was cooked. You’re right wrong in pointing out the signs were already there that he was cooked, dont think he ever hit triple digits in the majors. But Grayson? 96 with life and great secondaries? There’s no way to know that that’s still there until he gets back out there and shows it. Clearly the O’s see evidence that’s not going to happen. Huge red flag. Huge. If teams thought a kid with 96 and life, and several years of control, was available… this is the best return? Red flag.
wow. ok. I’ll try to sit and see what happens but THAT was unexpected. can’t say the O’s FO won’t do anything this off season now. that’s something… is it a good something? that remains to be seen.
This definitely feels like a precursor to another move. Ward certainly provides offense this team sorely needs. A shame that it cost us Grayson. They really must not have liked what they’ve seen based on his injury history. A good risk/reward move for the Angels though.
Yes…Ward with his 175 K’s and his .228 BA is going to interrupt the O’s young player pipeline….but he;s the a-typical modern all or nothing ballplayer who is worshipped at the alter of HR’s, exit velo, launch angle, and hard hit rate…..remember, before you fall in love with his power, that power is only going to come into play 23 times every 100 at bats…..not exactly a keep the line moving kind of guy….
Look at his OBP. Dude can move the line better than most
Another Alex Reyes
Gotta love a gm who knows how to sell low.
Tiger fans need to LEARN HOW TO SWIM. The FO keeps missing the boat….
Pretty good haul for the Angels. Baltimore must be on high pressure to get things done although that is a lot of BB for a pitcher and injured previously.
Will probably be a nothing trade this time next year
When is the last time Ward played third base?
Ward was really, really bad at 3B and I say this as a fan of his. OF is 100% his position.
Always had high hopes for GRod, but he just can’t stay healthy. Forearm, elbow, lat, shoulder, tricep…he’s the Pokémon of arm injuries collecting them all
Fascinating trade for the Angels. GRod reminds me a bit of Skubal prior to Skubal finding this run of health that he has. Obviously their injuries were different, but there was a point in time where you would look at Skubal and say “if he can just stay healthy…”. Back to back full seasons have seen him dominate where he’s essentially the best pitcher in baseball.
Maybe the same will be true of GRod…maybe he will find a stretch of health in LA and give them the true ace they’ve needed for so long.
If maybe’s and but’s were candy and nuts…
It’s different than Skubal, this is like a 2028-29 flyer to see if any medical miracles have been invented
Last time Balt sold low on a promising young pitcher Cubs got Arrieta (and Strop) for Feldman and Clevenger. Balt obviously soured on him. That being said 4 years of control even if he is just a backend starter or high leverage reliever it will be a win for the Angels.
Last off season, the O’s signed and scuttled a deal with Jeff Hoffman.
Turned out the shoulder concerns weren’t a big deal.
Maybe the O’s medical team needs to be traded in for a new one….
If you think what’s been happening with Graysons health is the medical team..man oh man..
Am I missing something here?
Rodriguez had a good 2025 Campaign is only 3 years removed from being considered the top pitching prospect in baseball.. The O’s need starting pitching
and they just moved him for an outfielder with some above average power and who is a free agent next december.
Rodriguez did not have a 2025 campaign. He hasn’t pitched since July 2024.
Yeah i tried to fix the comment but MLBTR wouldn’t let me
I expect the Angels return on Grayson will mirror what they got with Bundy.
Given the win-win Rogers for Stowers/Norby…
What about LHP Ryan Weathers and RHP Anthony Bender for 1B/3B Coby Mayo and OF Austin Overn?
The O’s get another solid lefty starter plus a bullpen piece in exchange for a RH corner infielder the Fish need.
No shot. Weathers can’t be counted on for innings. O’s are clearly putting a value on that.
OK, then which Miami starter would you ask for Mayo?
Alcantara for Mayo and others.
Mayo is definitely enough for Alcantara. No others would be needed.
With heavy heart, I’d do that trade. But if by any chance this discussion comes up in reality, I wish the Marlins don’t proceed and hope for the best from Norby.
Sandy should only wear the Marlins uniform in his career.
Sometimes we know what a player is. This time we don’t, it’s all medical and no one is saying.
Elias is super rational, no way he makes this lopsided deal if rodriguez is going to be healthy any time soon.
That feels like an overpay by the Orioles.
My guess is they think they will sign a FA SP or two and aren’t confident they can sign any OF as good as Ward, and certainly not on such an affordable 1 year deal.
@mrmackey. Not too many outfielders besides tucker.
I can’t see anyway that Grayson isn’t at least a plus reliever at some point. Impossible to not like the deal for the Angels.
A very nice upside play for the Angels. If they can keep him healthy it’s a big win.
Seems like a steep price for 1 year of a 32 year old OF. Unless they just didn’t wanna go to Arb with this guy? I mean it just seems really weird to make this move for a rental.
Bet his arm/shoulder is ground beef, and the Orioles 100% know it.
Yummy. Ground beef does fall apart quickyl.
They can’t hide medical data from the Angels regarding Rodriguez but maybe the Angel’s doctors think he will fully recover and the O’s doctors don’t.
I’m betting there’s some doubt from the O’s doctors or else this trade wouldn’t have happened.
Exactly my thoughts. I wonder how many other teams were involved. Elias and his love of power hitting of’s probably kept this quiet because he was so focused on Ward. Angels in hopes of keep cost down seem willing to take a lil more risk but, like you said the medical reports don’t lie. The Angels aren’t gonna sugarcoat anything. Good for them for taking a shot. I truly hope it works out for them and Grayson. Dude is uber talented and a total professional. I’d love to hear more about this. I bet no other teams were involved and Elias thinking he’s smarter then everyone else didn’t bother to see what else was out there for a former #1 pitching prospect in baseball.
I can’t understand why O’s fans can’t see the benefits here for the O’s with this trade.. Grayson has become another Injury Prone version of Dylan Bundy. in addition, this deal gives you a proven, consistent RH power hitter that Baltimore desperately needed and it clears the path for not 1, but 2 SP’s being added to the staff.. One probably thru a trade of a current OF and the other thru FA.. Michael King and let’s say a Sandy Alcantara would make you forget about undependable G-Rod in a heartbeat.. I have faith that this trade was a pure designed plan to upgrade the rotation and I think it will..
Now watch a flip to Kansas City for a starter. KC has been trying to pull Ward away for a year reportedly
For all the “But the Orioles need pitching!” comments. Grayson does not pitch.
Maybe they can get a GM drunk at the winter meetings and trick him into trading for O’Neill for a reliever.
Finally an MLB player for an MLB Player. Miss these throw back deals without prospects. Hope it works out for both teams.
ward will be tyler oneill 2.0
Are the times Rodriguez was electric in the room with us?
Good move by Baltimore
Looks like the Angels are running on a high ceiling/low floor mode. When they’ve done that before, they typically employed the high price version with horrendous returns on investment; see Hamilton, Upton, Matthews Jr., Rendon, et al…
I am no doctor nor Nostradamus.. Nor Am I saying GRod is Verlander, but remember Verlander sat out 2021 and only 6 innings in 2020. Then won the CY in 2022.. There are players on every team that “come back” and also some that never do. But at 26, you have to guess it was a good deal potentially for the Angels. (And that doesn’t make it a bad deal in Baltimore).
GRod may be Dustin May ultimately. Angels have to take this offer though.
Taylor Ward is essentially the same player as Mike Yastrzemski (Ward has a slightly higher WAR). They just fleeced Baltimore.
Ward is right handed. That matters a lot for this orioles team. Ward is a fit and makes the O’s better but if Grod is able to stay healthy then this is a massive overpay.
Rodriguez hasn’t been on a big league mound in a long time though. It does make wonder if he’s not right.
Being right-handed doesn’t give him more wins above replacement, which is what I was talking about as the “same” player. He might “balance” the lineup, hitting from the right side, but that won’t suddenly make a 5 WAR player. If Rodriguez is healthy for even part of one of the next four seasons, it was a massive overpay.
Wow. As is often the case with Elias, hate this move. Give it a grade of F because there is no grade lower. I mean how many freaking OFs that hit below .230 do you want on your team? You can only put 3 on the field at a time. Tyler O’Neill was seen as a huge fail and now you have his clone. They even have a similar name.
A guy with power who hits .230, what would I pay for that? Not much. A couple million and if it cant be found, hey, I can live without a powerful guy who cant hit. What would I trade in prospect capital or players for that? Nothing. I dont want it.
I get the argument that Grayson is not worth much and I get it. I dont put much value in him. But he MAY be good again someday. That is worth something. Ward I just think you know you have something of very little value, or negative value cause you have to pay him money to swing and miss and walk back to the bench with guys on base. Use that money on a setup guy or closer. I dont see why you want that guy on the roster at all. I mean maybe get a 19-year-old version of him and hope that he has more upside. Grayson had talent and performed. So he could deliver something. Get a guy who maybe could perform.
I’d like to see Bradfield on the team by mid-season. I would never want to see Ward and O’Neill on the field at the same time.
How many RHB do the Orioles have in the OF?
The last time BA was a relevant stat for hitters, Ty Cobb was still playing. Since the end of the dead ball era OPS has been a much more relevant stat. WAR is a relevant stat because it includes defense and that is half the game.
Rodriguez has not pitched since July of 2024 and he has not started a throwing program yet. If the Orioles were willing to trade him for a rental and they are intimately familiar with his medical reports, what does that tell you about the possibility of him ever returning to being a viable starting pitcher?
The last time BA was relevant was about a month ago. People have believed it has not mattered for a long time which is ridiculous. They were/are wrong for as long as they believed it. Hitting the ball and actually getting to first base safely, that doesn’t matter. That isnt relevant.
Tell that to the Yankees who have 6 Wards on their roster and probably want to get rid of as many of them as possible because they played a team that had the best BA and the Blue Jays mopped floor with them. Why? Because they can freaking hit the ball and get on base and advance runners, have them score because of the hit. All these guys who have OPS but have a bad BA and strike out a ton but can hit HRs against bad teams’ 3rd 4th 5th starters or bad bullpens in May are beyond useless in the playoffs.
If Ward is in a playoff game, and I doubt it, he will be striking out and walking back to the dugout against elite starting pitching.
October 1919? Maybe.
People that get paid to make those decisions for baseball teams do not pay attention to BA. Only a few uneducated fans still do. OBP is relevant. OPS is relevant. BA is not. The player with the highest BA in MLB over the past 4 seasons, a .318 BA, is looking at a $7-10 million a year deal in free agency. A player with a .226 BA over the last 4 seasons is looking at a $30 million per year deal. The difference is that the 2nd one has an OPS 80 points higher over 4 seasons and 200 points higher last season.
BA is not relevant and hasn’t been since the dead ball era.
You are living in the wrong century.
I guess I just have a hard time believing than any major league general manager with even half a brain would give up a young, controllable pitcher…that happens to be a position of need…for a one trick pony hitter in his final year, unless there were long term medical concerns for said pitcher. Do my guess is this will be a wash in the end
If you factor in a long lockout in ’27, does this make the trade better for the Orioles?
This seems like a lot for a year of Ward. What do the Orioles know of Grayson’s health that would reduce his remaining control years to that?
Could they still get Luis Severino?
I’m wondering if adding Ward means an attempt to pawn off O’Neill on the Rockies or White Sox or Pirates – a team who is cost conscious and not interested in competing. Maybe pay half his salary to offload. The upside for the receiving team is if he is healthy and channels something of 2024, they get their money’s worth. If not, its not a backbreaking financial hit.
All injuries heal with non-elastic scar tissue …… Always a bad choice to trade for a player who “healed” ………… The scar tissue will tear and you are back to square one!
NEVER TRADE FOR A PLAYER WHO MISSED A SEASON BECAUSE OF INJURY …..
SCARE TISSUE IS FOREVER!
WILL NEVER HAVE THE FASTBALL CONSISTANTLY WITHOUT TEARING THE SCAR TISSUE …. BAD TRADE
I hate this trade. I mean I despise it. We traded Ward for a less than a 50% chance that Grayson will be able to contribute at any point with the Angels. Management just created a huge hole that needs to be filled in the outfield for this? This is the best that Management could do? Are you serious?
The Halo fans hate the trade.
The O’s fans hate this trade.
Everybody hates the trade!
This trade says a lot about the Orioles lack of trust in Rodriguez ever recovering fully and how they see his chances of needing Tommy John or shoulder surgery in the near future, They just dumped him unceremoniously for a rental. A power hitting RHB that they need to be sure, but still a rental.
What is it with Elias and his love of mediocre outfielders. I hate this trade for Baltimore. Didn’t we just wipe the slate clean as far coaching and development? You’d think our pitching regime would be chomping at the bits to get to work with Grayson. He’s only a couple years removed from being the #1 pitching prospect in baseball. It’s not like he hasn’t ever produced it’s just simply a matter of heath. Here we go again with Elias thinking he’s smarter then everyone else and let’s just hope he has plan 1A, 1B, and 1C already worked out instead signing 2 40 year old’s to replace an Ace. This is move u make if you have multiple starters in place and some fantastic pitching in double and triple a. This is not a move you make with 3 glaring holes in your rotation. Grayson unfortunately wasn’t an Elias guy. He was drafted by the previous regime and for some reason you could tell Elias just wasn’t 100% sold on Grayson. Unfortunately for him it looks like he landed in a place worse than Baltimore for developing pitching. But, you can’t knock them for trying. I hope the change of scenery is all Grayson needs to get his grove back. That and pitching in a place he knows he’s wanted.