Leading up to Tuesday’s MLB’s trade deadline, the question swirling around the sport was, would the Baltimore Orioles and Executive Vice President/General Manager Mike Elias trade away the organization’s top talent to supplement his injury-decimated pitching staff?
The ultimate answer was no.
Elias, turns out, did boost his pitching staff while retaining the club’s elite-level talent, including the Orioles top prospect Jackson Holliday, who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.
In Holliday’s second at bat against Toronto Wednesday, he blasted a Eutaw Street grand slam homerun, his third big-league hit, and first homer.
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While Holliday is back in Baltimore, Coby Mayo and Sam Basallo, the Orioles’ top-rated prospects, remain with the organization, and wait to be part of Baltimore’s bright long-term future.
Elias managed to acquire two solid starting pitchers along with two hard-throwing relievers to solidify both the starting rotation and bullpen, and balance the offense by adding some right-handed bats to the roster.
But at what cost?
The Orioles sent veteran outfielder Austin Hays, and young players Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers, to Miami, in return for left-hander Trevor Rogers.
That acquisition may have been the costliest for Baltimore.
Rogers is a roll-of-the-dice move. His talent is obvious, but his four-year career has been rollercoaster-like.
Rogers was runner-up for National League Rookie of the Year in 2021 but has been inconsistent since.
MLB TV analyst Steve Phillips believes that Rogers will soon return to his 2021 form, saying “many scouts say his (Rogers) main problem has been inconsistentcy in the tweaking the Marlins have tried. One thing for sure, with the advanced analytics Baltimore utilizes, they will find the right combination.”
Baltimore upgraded the bullpen with two separate deals with Philadelphia.
Right-hander Seranthony Dominguez has looked sharp in his first two appearances with the Orioles.
Baltimore also added a big arm in left-hander Greg Soto from the Phillies.
Both relievers will give manager Brandon Hyde more options to a bullpen that is without left-hander Danny Coulombe, who is out until September with an elbow sprain.
It remains unclear as to who the Orioles will turn to in the closing role. Future Hall of Famer Craig Kimbrel has struggled in that role the past two weeks.
The Orioles needed some right-handed help at the plate, especially after moving Hays.
Enter former Chicago White Sox outfielder/DH Eloy Jimenez, who is a power bat and will add power to the right side.
Jimenez should feel energized upon entering the Orioles clubhouse. Chicago is on pace to lose 120 games this season and have had two losing streaks of 14 games or more this season.
The other starting pitcher Baltimore added was former Tampa Bay hurler Zach Elfin, who is slated to be the O’s third starter.
Elfin has already paid dividends when he delivered an impressive performance in his debut Monday evening against Toronto.
Elfin went six innings striking out eight, while allowing just two runs.
Rogers is under team control through the 2026 season, while Elfin is under contract through 2025.
Elias said the support of new owner David Rubenstein was incredible throughout the final days before the deadline.
“We were able to entertain so many possibilities because of the support of this new ownership, the passion of the new owners towards improving this club is incredible,” said Elias.
Many are wondering why Baltimore didn’t make a bigger trade deadline splash.
They could have, but turns out, they might not have needed to.
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