REALITY: One year ago, the Kansas City Royals were 3.5 games out of the Wild Card race and went to the World Series.
On July 29, 2014, KC was 3 1/2 games behind in WC race–and played Game 7 of the World Series. DET starts this game 3 1/2 behind in WC.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 27, 2015
PERCEPTION: The Baltimore Orioles are 3.5 games out of the Wild Card race right now, and are one game below .500. Do they have what it takes to pull off a run like the Royals did last season?
REALITY: The MLB non-waiver trade deadline is Friday.
PERCEPTION: This should be a very interesting week for Baltimore Orioles fans. Not only will this week impact what happens in 2015, but it will have a major impact on 2016.
Chris Davis, Matt Wieters, Tommy Hunter, Darren O’Day, Bud Norris, and Wei-Yin Chen are all set to become free agents after this season.
Most of us are very aware that Davis, Wieters, Norris, Chen, and Hunter are more than likely gone from Baltimore. There is a chance the Orioles try to sign O’Day after the season, but the O’s have not made a habit of going after big-money relief pitchers.
If all those guys are headed elsewhere after the season, then the front office has two options… go for the World Series this season, which means trying to trade for players that will fill in the holes this team has, or they can admit this season will not end with a Pennant. In the latter case, they’d try to trade some of those guys by Friday so they can try to receive some quality minor leaguers who could possible help them next season and beyond.
After getting swept by the Yankees, I would say that 95% of Baltimore fans were all ready to throw in the towel and hope to get some quality players for the future.
But after taking two out of three in Tampa, the Orioles are only 3.5 games out of the second Wild Card spot and some fans are seeing a glimmer of hope to stick it out with the free agents through the end of the year.
I’m on the fence and I think I’m okay with whichever direction they choose. However, I don’t think they will fully commit to either direction, unfortunately.
REALITY: Kevin Gausman has been mentioned as possibly being available for a trade.
PERCEPTION: Here is my issue. Gausman is not going anywhere. If the Orioles were going to go for it all this season, then they need to really go for it. I’m talking about being involved in trade talks for a legitimate ace… something they haven’t had since Mike Mussina. That means Cole Hamels or someone who every five days gives them a win.
It also means that they need to go get Justin Upton, Carlos Gonzalez, or Carlos Gomez. They need to fill their holes with top notch guys who will make a difference in their lineup for the next 2-3 months.
Here is the thing… we all know they are not going to do that. And for me that just means we are going to go trade for a Scott Feldman, Bud Norris, or the like and it won’t be the difference-maker the O’s need.
If that is the case, than the front office needs to look at next year and the future… now. If they wait until after the season, then Baltimore is faced with a few losing seasons coming up as they try to develop draft picks. If they trade away Davis, Wieters, Chen, and others this week, they might actually get enough quality minor leaguers to make the Birds competitive next year.
My worry is they will not go for it all now, and they will not trade away their free agents this week, meaning we are in for a competitive end to this season, which falls short of a World Series but also leads to a very week team next season.
