It’s hard to believe that a team on pace to win 98 games and in first place would be in a position of needing more than wanting.
The Baltimore Orioles have the sixth best overall ERA (3.61) in baseball, are fourth in saves (31), seventh best WHIP (1.20) and fifth best opponent batting average (.230), yet if there was a hole on the team, pitching is where that lays.
With three starters out for the year, there is a need for starting pitching, which will be addressed as well. In this piece, though, we will look at the options for relief, as the bullpen is in need as well.
The Birds knew before the season they would be without All-Star closer Felíx Bautista for the season, and they answered by signing future Hall of Famer, Craig Kimbrel. Though Kimbrel hasn’t pitched terribly, having another option would be beneficial in the postseason. Recently, Danny Coulombe went down and will be out until late August, early September as he recovers from bone chips removed from his elbow.
The bullpen is middle-of-the-road with a 3.83 ERA, while ranking fifth in WHIP (1.18) and tied for eighth with a 2.8 fWAR. They aren’t bad, but there is room for improvement if the Orioles want to make a deep postseason run.
Let’s take a look at five options the Birds could jump on and the likelihood they pull the trigger.
Tanner Scott: LHP/Miami Marlins
42 G, 6-5, 1.24 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 43.2 IP, 50 SO, 25 BB, .125 BAA, 17 SV, 19 SVO
A name that sounds familiar to most of Birdland, many remember Tanner Scott when he was a member of the Orioles from 2017 to 2021. He was even one of the organization’s top prospects at one point.
The interesting aspect of trading for Scott is that he is a left-hander. The Orioles already have lefties Keegan Akin, Cionel Pérez and Danny Coulombe (plus Nick Vespi in the minors), who are all capable of getting hitters out from both sides.
On the other hand, Scott has the experience and has become one of the premier relievers in the game and can fill in as a closer here and there. In 18 save opportunities with Miami this season, the 30-year-old has converted 16 of them.
With half a season left of club control, Scott can be picked up for cheap, but adding a fourth lefty to the bullpen might be the lone deterrent, even if the O’s decide to option Akin down the line.
Trade Probability: Medium
Carlos Estévez: RHP/Los Angeles Angels
33 G, 1-3, 2.45 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, 33 IP, 32 SO, 5 BB, .174 BAA, 19 SV, 22 SVO
The Angels are in semi-rebuild mode and will be looking to dump expiring contracts this season as they work on putting together a team that will be competitive when Mike Trout returns.
With bullpen arms a need for just about any postseason-bound team, the Halos are in prime position to benefit from that, and Carlos Estévez offers a big upside for any contending team.
Estévez’s contract ends at season’s end, and he would be a great addition to a team that has been hit hard with injuries. At 31 years of age, Estévez is having the best season of his career, posting a career-best ERA (2.45), WHIP (0.76) and BAA (.174).
The ability to close games is a boost and allows for a bullpen to have a strong 1-2-3 punch on a nightly basis. Plus, he wouldn’t break the bank to acquire.
Trade Probability: High
Nick Martinez: RHP/Cincinnati Reds
28 G, 3-5, 3.88 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 56 SO, 9 BB, 72 IP, .256 BAA, 7 HLD
Nick Martinez is a utility-style type of pitcher who has started, closed and has been used in middle relief throughout his seven-year big league career.
The 33-year-old right-hander has been pitching since 2014 in the majors, with a three-year break as he pitched in the Nippon League. As a starter, his ERA remained in the fives. But as a reliever, he has maintained an ERA under four.
A key stat that has helped is that Martinez is throwing a career-low 15.19 pitches per inning and a career-low .272 OBP against and a career-low 1.13 walks per nine innings. With a player option for next season and part of his contract this season being paid by the San Diego Padres, he offers an enticing option with a good upside at a low cost.
The Miami native would offer a veteran presence who can fill many rolls if needed. With Cincinnati sitting in last place, their only hope is a Wild Card berth, as they have five teams ahead of them and remain four games behind the third Wild Card spot, putting them in position to sell at the deadline.
Trade Probability: Medium
Kirby Yates: RHP/Texas Rangers
37 G, 3-1, 1.22 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 51 SO, 17 BB, .130 BAA, 2 HLD, 18 SV, 18 SVO
Kirby Yates is a well-traveled veteran who is a two-time All-Star and an All-MLB First Team recipient. The 10-year veteran is two years removed from Tommy John surgery and is having one of his best statistical seasons of his career.
With the ability to close out games (80 of 93) and set-up (52 career holds), Yates offers a veteran presence with some postseason experience. His bread and butter is his fastball/changeup combination that has led him to post a 12.41 K/9 this season for the Texas Rangers.
With the Rangers still dealing with the effect of their World Series hangover, it’s looking more and more likely that they sell at this year’s deadline. This will especially be the case when it comes to expiring contracts.
Signed to a one-year, $4.5 million deal, Yates would take a minimal amount to trade, possibly being available for cash considerations or a low-end prospect or two.
Trade Probability: High
Mason Miller: RHP/Oakland Athletics
34 G, 1-1, 2.21 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 40.2 IP, 70 SO, 14 BB, .173 BAA, 15 SV, 17 SVO
The gem of the reliever desires this season, the rookie fireballer just might be the most-wanted piece who may or may not be available.
Mason Miller has a high-powered fastball that was clocked as the fastest pitch in All-Star Game history (103.6 mph) before picking up the win for the American League in this year’s Mid-Summer Classic. That included striking out the great Shohei Ohtani.
With his rocket-fueled arm and five years of club control, Miller will fetch a massive return for any organization fortunate enough to obtain his services. He will turn 26 this season (August 24, same day as Cal Ripken Jr.), and the Athletics could very well hold on to Miller and wait to trade him the following year.
It will be a guessing game to see if he is available, but one thing is for sure. If Miller is traded, the Orioles have the prospect pool to facilitate a deal better than any organization.
Trade Probability: Low
The Orioles will almost certainly be in the market for relief pitching in the coming week. One thing that Birdland should have learned by now is that GM Mike Elias will not make a move for the sake of making a move. There are calculations and long-term outlooks that come into play, as sustained success is what Elias is looking for.
The Orioles are going to be in a dogfight for the AL East and a postseason berth. What moves will be made to make that fight a little easier remains to be seen.
The trade deadline is July 30 at 6 p.m. EST, and what happens between now and then will be one of the more intriguing storylines going forward.
Which relief pitcher do you think the Orioles should target? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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