The Yankees are looming in the rearview mirror, the trade deadline is today, and more in today’s Bird Droppings
Happy Tuesday, Camden Chatters! The trade deadline is almost upon us and Mike Elias now has less than one day to add to the team in an attempt to put them in a better position of the final two months of the season.
They have so far added relief pitcher Seranthony Domínguez, starting pitcher Zach Elfin, and outfielder Cristian Pache. I would personally like to see them add one more of each type of pitcher before the deadline at 6 p.m. today.
Domínguez has pitched twice in relief since joining the team and it is so far, so good on that front. I saw him pitch in person on Sunday and came away impressed. And Eflin made his Orioles’ debut yesterday, picking up the win in game one of the doubleheader. Eflin made a good impression with seven strikeouts and no walks over six innings but also gave up a whopping 10 hits.
It could be a busy day of trades as we wind down to the deadline, both for the Orioles and around the league. After watching Cade Povich pitch yesterday in game two of yesterday’s doubleheader, it seems more important than ever for the Orioles to get another starting pitcher. I’m not writing Povich off forever, but he just can’t walk five guys every start. He is not ready. His start yesterday looked worse than it was due to defensive miscues, but even taking that into account Povich had a rough night.
Speaking of defensive miscues, we have to talk about shortstop. What is going on there? I have a working theory about why the position has been cursed. After making an error in four straight games, Gunnar Henderson finally made it through a game yesterday without being charged. But he still looked a little sloppy at times and there was one play that looked like an error that wasn’t scored that way.
Henderson got the nightcap of the doubleheader off with Jordan Westburg taking over at shortstop. Prior to tonight, Westburg had not made a major-league start at shortstop, but he did make 156 starts there over three minor-league seasons. I was glad to see Westburg in there to give Henderson a break. Then he made two errors of his own at the position!
It is a curse? And is it the curse of Jorge Mateo? Look, I don’t know how curses work. But I know that defensive wizard Jorge Mateo has made just three starts at shortstop this year after starting 95 games there last year and 142 in 2022. This year he has been mostly playing second base. And now he can’t even do that because Gunnar barreled into him in the field and hurt his arm.
Have the Orioles done Mateo wrong? Or does someone out there perceive that they have done him wrong and are taking their magic out on Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg? Do the Orioles need a better shortstop backup with Mateo on the shelf for a while?
All I know is that even with Henderson’s troubles, I saw last night that the team is better with him in the field than they are otherwise.
After splitting the doubleheader yesterday, the Orioles have guaranteed themselves their first losing month since 2022. The Yankees won big against the Phillies which means they now sit just a half-game back of the Orioles for first place. That is much too close for comfort.
Both the Yankees and Orioles have 63 wins on the year. The Yankees have 45 losses to the Orioles 44. On Thursday, while the Orioles play the Guardians, the Yankees are off. That means after Thursday the two teams will finally have played the same number of games.
Links
Orioles’ James McCann bloodied after taking pitch to the face, but stays in – The Baltimore Banner
James McCann is tough as nails, and his decision to remain in the game despite looking like he had just stepped into the ring with Mike Tyson kept Adley Rutschman from having to catch both games of the doubleheader.
MLB’s trade deadline takes a toll, Orioles players say – Baltimore Sun
Trades are part of the game, but players face the reality of uprooting their lives, moving or saying goodbye to their families, and getting to know a whole new team. Of course it’s stressful.
A few thoughts on trade deadline and assorted rumors – MASN Sports
Roch Kubatko’s perspective on the trade deadline. He still expects another move to be made.
Birthdays and History
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have three Orioles birthday buddies. Pat Kelly (b. 1944, d. 2005) played right field for the Orioles from 1977-80. It was part of a 15-season career for Kelly. Gus Triandos (b. 1930, d. 2013) was the catcher for the Orioles from 1955-62. He made three All-Star games and was part of a memorable scene in The Wire (NSFW). And pitcher Joe Coleman (b. 1922, d. 1997) appeared in 39 games with the Orioles from 1954-55.
On this day in 1954, Bob Kennedy hit the first grand slam in Orioles history.
In 2009, the Orioles traded closer George Sherrill to the Dodgers for Josh Bell and Steve Johnson (son of Dave). Sherrill had come to Baltimore the year before as part of the Adam Jones trade.
In 2011, the Orioles sent fan favorite Koji Uehara to the Rangers for Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter. That was a very good trade for the Orioles.
In 2018, the Orioles traded Brad Brach to the Braves for international bonus money.
And one year ago today, the Orioles defeated the Yankees, 9-3. They scored seven runs in the first inning with RBI from Anthony Santander, Ryan O’Hearn, Adam Frazier, and Adley Rutschman. Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson combined to collect five hits from the top two spots in the batting order. Danny Coulombe struck out the side swinging in the eighth inning and Yennier Cano struck out the side swinging in the ninth.