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Thursday Thoughts: Look for Dan Duquette to Add in August

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This is a weekly column that dives into eight random thoughts about the Orioles/MLB. Why eight? It’s a nod to Cal Ripken Jr. of course. That, and doing 2,632 of these would be a little overboard. – A.S.

1. The trade deadline is nearly upon us and the Orioles will be linked to just about every player possible between now and next Monday. As a reminder, it’s important to remain calm through these proceedings. Not every rumor you hear will be true. Actually, most of them won’t be.

I think the Orioles are going to make a deal or two, and I don’t think they will make a huge splash. They might get a starter, but it won’t be anyone like Chris Sale. You can cut that idea out of your head (see what I did there).

I’ve been on the record as saying I think the O’s need to get a bullpen arm or two, preferably a lefty. As big of a deal as we always make about the trade deadline, it’s also key to remember that it’s only the non-waiver deadline. Dan Duquette always seems to make a move or two in August after that has passed. Keep an eye on that.

2. The one deal the O’s were linked to that didn’t work out was Melvin Upton Jr., and I’m not the least bit upset about it. Upton would’ve been a fine piece to add to the mix, but he wasn’t needed. What the O’s need is pitching, not another outfielder. If the Orioles want to add a piece like Upton, they can do it in the offseason by signing someone rather than giving anything up.

If the Orioles were going to trade Ubaldo Jimenez straight up for Upton, I’d have been on board fully. It’s obvious that the Padres didn’t want to go that route. I was surprised however at how little Toronto had to give up to get him. It’s also surprising how little the Blue Jays will have to pay him. Either way, failing to add Upton in Baltimore is no big failure at all.

3. Speaking of Ubaldo Jimenez, he’s starting tonight in Minnesota. I don’t really have a ton of thoughts on this because I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I really didn’t think we’d see Jimenez back in this role, even if it’s just for one day. Maybe he goes out and deals, maybe he gets lit up.

Regardless, is this really a road the O’s want to go down? Jimenez is lucky to have a roster spot, much less be given the ball at this point. Remember, the only thing stopping the Orioles from cutting ties with Jimenez is money.

He’s basically been paid to hurt the team, and will continue to be until he’s released.

Chris Tillman winds up to pitch.4. In much better pitching news, Chris Tillman is still a thing. Sure, he got knocked around in his most recent start, but he’s still Tillman and he’s still doing great things. I actually saw someone mention his name in Cy Young award talks the other day and had to do a double take.

That couldn’t be right. Chris Tillman for Cy Young? Then I looked at the numbers. Tillman doesn’t feel like he’s having a Cy Young season, but when compared to some of the other American League pitchers, he’s actually in the mix. In fact, if you look at ESPN’s “Cy Young Predictor” page, Tillman is second on the list – to his own teammate Zach Britton.

Now it’s obviously tough for relievers to win the award, but when you remove them, there are only a few other names that jump out. Tillman is pitching on a level up there with Chris Sale, Cole Hamels and Danny Salazar. Steven Wright is also having a nice season in Boston. Tillman definitely has a chance to be the Orioles’ first 20-game winner since Mike Boddicker in 1984, and perhaps even the first Cy Young winner since Steve Stone in 1980.

5. Zach Britton may be having another stellar season, as proven by that “Cy Young Predictor” that ESPN has, but could this be the last one for him in Baltimore? Watching the haul that the Yankees got for Aroldis Chapman this week got me thinking. Britton would likely bring a similar if not bigger return this offseason, especially since he’s under team control. His arbitration number will only keep going up as well.

Remember when the Orioles traded Jim Johnson because he was reaching that $10-million mark? That obviously worked out, and we have entered a different era with the Orioles’ spending habits, but it’s still something to ponder. The biggest issue would obviously be replacing Britton in the back end of the bullpen. I’m not sure Darren O’Day or Brad Brach have the makeup of a closer, but who knows.

The Orioles won’t have a ton of holes coming up this offseason. Catcher comes up in my mind as the biggest. But if they wanted to improve the roster in other areas, this is a place they could explore.

J.J. Hardy prepares to defend.

GulfBird Sports/Craig Landefeld

6. J.J. Hardy deserves a little bit of love, because I don’t think he gets quite enough. Hardy has been red-hot of late, and it’s been a joy to watch. After missing about six weeks with an unfortunate injury, he’s returned and is producing. The home run power may not be there from years past, but Hardy is getting on base and providing some life at the bottom of the O’s lineup.

That’s all you can ask from Hardy, along with his solid defense. The Orioles were able to survive his absence by moving Manny Machado over to shortstop, but I don’t want to see them have to do that again. Stay healthy, J.J.

7. Regardless of what happens over the next week with trades and roster shifts, the Orioles are going to have a dog fight on their hands over the final few months of the season. The Red Sox and Blue Jays aren’t going anywhere, and the Orioles aren’t going to be able to run away with the AL East and hide.

The O’s should immediately go into “hold on for dear life” mode, because that’s what August and September are going to feel like. I don’t mind it. I can take the stress as a fan. It sure beats the feeling of 2002 or any other season from the “dark ages.” By a mile.

8. I haven’t really touched on Hunter Harvey’s impending Tommy John surgery because it’s just so darn depressing. No one really knows what has led to this, yet another injury to a young Orioles prospect. After reading “The Arm” by Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan, I don’t think anyone really has the answers about arm injuries when it comes to pitchers.

But questions need to continue to be asked. Some of those questions need to be directed to the Orioles development staff. This has become a trend not just throughout baseball, but with this team. I shake my head at the lack of quality development from the Orioles pitching staff as it is, but when these injuries continue to pop up, I wonder if it isn’t something they are doing wrong.

It’s concerning and depressing all in the same. Perhaps the O’s need to take a look in the mirror and ask some of these tough questions. Until then, we’ll wait another 18 months to see what may come from another piece of the future for the Orioles pitching staff.

0 Responses

  1. Another garbage read. You know the Orioles won’t sign anyone the same way they missed the boat on Upton. Two reasons, Angelos and the fact don’t have crap in the farm system to offer anyone!
    Sources: #Marlins, #Rangers current leaders for #Padres’ Cashner. See you don’t see the O’s mentioned here! Angelos doesn’t want to win, never has never will. Time for football Baltimore!

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0 Responses

  1. Another garbage read. You know the Orioles won’t sign anyone the same way they missed the boat on Upton. Two reasons, Angelos and the fact don’t have crap in the farm system to offer anyone!
    Sources: #Marlins, #Rangers current leaders for #Padres’ Cashner. See you don’t see the O’s mentioned here! Angelos doesn’t want to win, never has never will. Time for football Baltimore!

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