The on-field product is looking pretty pathetic.
Happy Tuesday, Camden Chatters!
Last night’s game was unfortunate. The Orioles are doing all they can to ensure no one is confused into thinking they are a good baseball team. Last night they jumped out to a three-run lead, then blew it. They scored two more runs, and then things really fell apart. They lost 10-5. Tomoyuki Sugano is going all he can to ensure he has no trade value at all, and the bullpen is filled with guys named Corbin Martin, Colin Selby, and Grant Wolfram.
You can read all the details, if you must, in Mark Brown’s recap.
If the product on the field is too difficult to care about, there are other things to focus on. We’re about a week from the deadline for teams to sign draft picks, which is July 28th. The Orioles have made good progress so far, signing 12 of their picks so far. Their top unsigned pick is Slater de Brun, the 37th overall pick. You can keep track of all the picks on our draft tracker.
The other thing, of course, is the trade deadline. The Orioles will be sellers, although it’s unclear to me who exactly they have to sell. Ryan O’Hearn is the only position player with any value. There seems to be little concern over getting sad about Cedric Mullins being traded, as he is batting under .200 since June 1st with a sub-.600 OPS.
Ramón Laureano is having a good year, if Mike Elias wants to move him. But he does have a reasonable option for next year.
And how about pitchers? Zach Eflin is hurt. Sugano is bad. Charlie Morton is probably on the move, though his last start was bad and my confidence is low. If Elias can find a taker for Gregory Soto or Seranthony Domínguez, it probably won’t result in any return that will matter.
Ugh. I don’t like this. What I do like is watching baseball that doesn’t make me sad. But that’s not really an option right now.
Links
Orioles continue to fade as they lose 10-5 to Guardians – Baltimore Sun
Things are not going well.
Nittoli signs minors deal, Akin begins rehab assignment, more draft picks sign, O’s notes & lineup – Blog
The Orioles need pitching. Maybe Vinny Nittoli will help? Keegan Akin is on rehab assignment after suffering left shoulder inflammation.
Luis Vázquez honors his grandmother’s memory – The Baltimore Banner
Luis Vázquez has a framed picture of his grandmother in his locker. If you want to have a little cry, this is a story for you.
Despite trade talk, Orioles try to focus on field – BaltimoreBaseball.com
How is that going?
Birthdays and History
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have one Orioles birthday buddy. Former Oriole Tanner Scott turns 31 years old today. Scott was drafted by the Orioles in 2014 and pitched for them from 2017-2021. He was mostly bad as an Oriole but turned his fortunes around after being traded to Miami just before the 2022 season. The Dodgers signed him to a four-year deal starting this year.
On this day in 1996, Eddie Murray played his first game as an Oriole since 1988. The Orioles lost, but Murray hit his 493rd career home run.
In 2023, the Orioles re-signed TJ McFarland, but he never got out of Norfolk.