Answering questions about the trade deadline, potential prospect debuts, the second half and more – Baltimore Sun

The run the Orioles launched into earlier than the All-Star break turned what some anticipated to be one other dropping marketing campaign into one in every of pleasure, with a 46-46 document and a path towards extra aggressive baseball on the horizon.

Baltimore is 30-22 since Could 21, the day then-top prospect Adley Rutschman made his main league debut at Camden Yards. He’s anticipated to be the primary of a number of high-level prospects to affix the Orioles this season and past however there are questions concerning the commerce deadline and whether or not the workforce’s successful methods will be carried by way of the remainder of the summer time.

Earlier than the Orioles return from the All-Star break, beat reporters Nathan Ruiz and Andy Kostka and editor Tim Schwartz give their opinions about how Baltimore ought to strategy the commerce deadline, the workforce’s most vital growth to this point and which prospect they’re most excited to see debut this summer time.

Ruiz: There’s no motive they will’t be each, although this upcoming week, with seven video games in opposition to the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays within the remaining homestand earlier than the deadline, will go a good distance in figuring out how a lot they lean in both course. It doesn’t matter what occurs, this workforce has established it will probably contend this 12 months and positively in 2023. If government vice chairman and basic supervisor Mike Elias can discover offers that add to subsequent 12 months’s membership, such an consequence needs to be welcomed after years of Baltimore’s player-for-player trades returning younger prospects as an alternative of main leaguers, even when a few of this workforce’s gamers get moved, as properly.

Kostka: A ten-game successful streak was a much-needed reprieve for a lot of Orioles followers who’ve endured the mounting losses of rebuilding seasons, and whereas it pushed Baltimore inside attain of a wild-card place, it seemingly gained’t change the calculus of the entrance workplace. This season was by no means meant to be one for competing. That point is shut — maybe as shut as subsequent 12 months — however Elias isn’t one to skip steps.

So, regardless of a .500 document on the All-Star break — a document that leaves the workforce 3 1/2 video games out of the ultimate wild-card spot — the Orioles shall be sellers as soon as once more. However possibly that is the final season of doing so for fairly some time.

Elias alluded to it earlier than the MLB draft, even. The surge towards competitiveness was encouraging, however it isn’t the be-all, end-all.

Schwartz: Sellers. Sure, the Orioles have been one of many greatest surprises in baseball, and whereas it’s not unreasonable to assume this degree of play is sustainable, constructing for the long run continues to be the best transfer. First baseman Trey Mancini may command a top quality prospect, and so they have some bullpen arms that any contender could be joyful so as to add. This was by no means the 12 months they deliberate to compete, and I don’t see Elias altering his technique and lacking a chance so as to add extra younger expertise to battle for the third wild-card spot or a .500 document. Keep the course and look to 2023 and past.

Ruiz: Three. Mancini and Jordan Lyles technically aren’t pending free brokers, with Mancini having a mutual possibility for 2023 and Lyles’ contract together with a workforce possibility for subsequent season. However Mancini has lengthy been clear that possibility does little to vary his standing as a commerce candidate, given the low probability either side choose it up, and Lyles, who has backed up the innings-eater fame he delivered to Baltimore, is precisely the kind of low-risk, backend starter contending groups love so as to add on the deadline. The third right here might be any variety of gamers, however I’ll simply posit that Elias manages to promote excessive on one in every of Baltimore’s many well-performing relievers.

Kostka: It’s not out of the realm of risk that three Orioles are moved on the deadline, and the lack of every would probably alter the emotions contained in the clubhouse: Mancini, Lyles and nearer Jorge López may all conceivably be on the transfer.

On the again of López’s sturdy first half, which incorporates 17 saves and an All-Star nod, a number of contenders may shore up the again finish of their bullpen with the 29-year-old’s 1.62 ERA. López is arbitration-eligible for the subsequent two seasons, so Baltimore doesn’t want to maneuver him; the workforce management makes him a longer-term asset. However the volatility of relievers may encourage a transfer. López’s worth may by no means be increased than it’s now.

Lyles has been all the pieces the Orioles have requested for, by way of his contributions on the mound and the affect he has within the clubhouse. Youthful gamers observe his lead, and his capability to eat innings has been paramount for the pitching workers. He may enhance the again half of a contender’s rotation on the deadline, although.

Mancini is anticipated to say no the mutual possibility on his contract for subsequent season to elect free company as an alternative, leaving Baltimore ready to maximise his worth on the commerce deadline. With 9 homers and a .277 batting common, Mancini might be a significant addition for a contender at first base or designated hitter.

There’s extra at play with Mancini, although, along with his connection to the fan base. Of the three, he’s the one homegrown possibility, drafted within the eighth spherical in 2013. He missed the 2020 season as he battled colon most cancers, beat it after which got here again to the sphere higher than ever. Bidding Mancini adieu has extra layers than the enterprise of baseball, however it may nonetheless be within the membership’s greatest curiosity.

Schwartz: Two. Mancini and Lyles are the seemingly commerce chips, however the return for López could be higher than both participant as he isn’t a free agent till after the 2024 season. The New York Mets are in want of a primary baseman and have a comparatively good pool of prospects, making them a logical candidate to land Mancini. Lyles may additionally go to any variety of contenders who’re in search of an innings eater.

Ruiz: The bevy of surprising performances on the pitching facet are definitely welcome, however by way of developments that carry that means for the long run, I’ll go together with the arrival of some dude named Adley Rutschman. He definitely hasn’t lived as much as the astronomical expectations positioned upon him — who may? — however this workforce has clearly had a distinct vitality to it since his promotion, going 30-22 with the previous prime prospect on the roster. Extra notably, his arrival signaled to followers that the rebuild is starting to pay dividends, and different symbols of which can be on their approach, too.

Kostka: The breakout of right-hander Tyler Wells as a starter was an important growth of the Orioles’ first half, constructing confidence for what he can do subsequent 12 months and past as a part of the rotation. With left-hander John Means anticipated to return sooner or later subsequent season from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgical procedure and prospects Grayson Rodriguez and DL Corridor nearing the majors, Wells has solidified his place in that up-and-coming rotation.

Wells served because the nearer final 12 months, and he nonetheless faces an innings restrict this season. The reins needs to be looser for him in 2023, nevertheless.

Schwartz: Pitching. This was a significant query mark coming into the season and have become an excellent greater one after Means was misplaced for the season. However the bullpen has been among the finest in baseball, and the rotation has stolen some video games it by no means would’ve throughout the first few years of the rebuild.

Cionel Pérez was quietly claimed on waivers in November after going 1-2 with a 6.38 ERA final season with the Cincinnati Reds. In 37 video games out of the bullpen with the Orioles, his ERA is 1.45. López’s is almost nearly as good, even after blowing a number of saves earlier this month. Wells has been a revelation in his first 12 months within the rotation with a 3.38 ERA in 85 1/3 innings. Even midseason waiver declare Austin Voth has discovered his stride after struggling in Washington with a 3.42 ERA in Baltimore.

Whether or not it’s analytics or one thing else, the Orioles’ pitching workers has lastly turned a nook after recording a 5.84 workforce ERA — by far the worst in baseball — only a 12 months in the past.

Ruiz: It’s unbelievable I even had to consider this. I’m saying beneath, solely as a result of watching the 2019-21 Orioles each day has me satisfied the wheels will fall off sooner or later. I believed I may need seen the primary levels of that earlier this month in Minnesota, when Baltimore dropped the primary two video games of a sequence with the Twins in walk-off vogue after main going into the underside of the ninth. How did the Orioles reply? By successful 10 video games in a row. Nonetheless, I feel being within the American League East, with 4 golf equipment that may definitively add on the deadline, catches as much as them by the top of the season.

Kostka: The Orioles will nonetheless seemingly end beneath .500, however in contrast to preseason predictions, it is going to be shut. As some key items are moved on the deadline and with a number of sequence in opposition to AL East competitors nonetheless to play, the run of success ought to dwindle. However not solely, establishing for a extremely anticipated 2023.

Schwartz: Beneath. They undoubtedly gained’t lose 100 video games once more, and so they seemingly gained’t lose 90, however I feel Vegas has quantity on the market proper now with an over/beneath of 75 1/2. I’d take the over by a recreation or two. I feel 81 wins — a .500 document — is feasible however unlikely, particularly in the event that they unload on the commerce deadline. However 77-85 feels proper.

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Ruiz: DL Corridor’s debut feels assured given how he’s carved up Triple-A hitters in July, however I’ll go together with a participant whose late-season debut would symbolize that the Orioles are both nonetheless within the playoff race or that they’re prepping themselves for a full run come 2023. Including infielder Gunnar Henderson to the roster even only for September (although his Triple-A play may definitely warrant sooner) would negate any of the questions on service time that hovered over Rutschman’s standing this offseason and would have this spring had he not gotten damage. Get Henderson up, let him play some and have him on the left facet of the opening day infield subsequent season.

Kostka: Corridor has confirmed himself on the minor league degree. Now, we should always quickly learn the way he does within the majors. In his final 4 begins, Corridor struck out 40 of the 80 batters he confronted whereas permitting only one earned run.

Schwartz: Corridor. He’s been up and down at Triple-A Norfolk this season however has been on a tear as of late. He nonetheless struggles along with his management, however there isn’t any denying he can miss bats and strike guys out. He’d be fascinating to observe in Baltimore this summer time to see if he can proceed his current dominance within the massive leagues or if he proves too erratic to stay round. Both approach, he appears prepared — and, extra importantly, wholesome sufficient — for an opportunity to show himself.

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