Every weekday, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.
Question: If Craig Kimbrel continues to struggle, what closers might be available at the July trade deadline? From: Bruce Beveridge
Answer: Bruce, other readers have expressed their misgivings about Craig Kimbrel, including Gary Shedd, John Kazlo and Scott Defoy. I wrote about Kimbrel’s struggles this morning.
It would be unusual for a major trade this early in the season, though the Marlins sent Luis Arraez to San Diego last week. There are only three teams — Miami, the Chicago White Sox and Colorado Rockies — that look to be out of contention, so if the Orioles wanted to try to get a closer from them, it’s a limited market.
Some fans have suggested a reunion with Tanner Scott, who’s the Marlins’ closer. Scott has a 2.57 earned-run average with four saves, but he’s walked 14 batters in 14 innings, and that’s not going to work.
In order to trade, they’re likely going to have to wait until closer to the July 30th trade deadline.
Question: I was wondering if the Orioles had any interest in Aaron Hicks. I know it’s a long shot but he did play and hit while he was here. From: Doug Wagstaff
Answer: Doug, I don’t think there’s interest in Aaron Hicks. He was signed last year after Cedric Mullins was hurt, and at the time, both Colton Cowser and Kyle Stowers, who were at Norfolk, were hurt, too. Hicks hit just .140 with the Angels.
Austin Hays is likely to return soon, and with Stowers and Heston Kjerstad as left-handed options, I don’t see Hicks coming back, though he was a useful player in his time with the Orioles in 2023.