The Orioles want to try to keep their Rule 5 picks, Logan Verrett and Jason Garcia, but they already have an overcrowded bullpen.
It’s no surprise the team wants to keep both pitchers, as they have been impressive in Spring Training so far. The two pitchers have a combined 16 innings, 16 strikeouts and have only given up one earned run (Verrett).
So how can Baltimore keep both players on the team?
There’s always the option of working out a trade with the Mets (Verrett’s original team) and the Red Sox (Garcia’s original team) to gain full rights to either player. However, the Orioles would likely have to give up more than they would like to since both pitchers have performed so well.
One of the easiest ways to open up a spot in the bullpen is to trade Brian Matusz. The former first round pick is now expendable for the team, as they have a decent amount of lefties and he is generating interest as a starter.
The Mets seem to be one of the teams most interested in making a deal, and the O’s could receive a prospect in return. A name to watch out for is catcher Kevin Plawecki, who is being blocked by Travis d’Arnaud. It would take more than Matusz to get the deal done, but it’s a good option for the Orioles to look into with Matt Wieters’ future up in the air.
Baltimore would then have Zach Britton, Darren O’Day, Tommy Hunter and Brad Brach as locks in the bullpen. Wesley Wright would slide into Matusz’s spot as the lefty in the bullpen, meaning the last two spots would be left for Verrett and Garcia.
This would result in Miguel Gonzalez being sent down to Triple-A, as he has a minor league option. Ubaldo Jimenez’s resurgence in his last couple of Spring Training starts most likely makes Gonzalez the odd man out of the rotation.
This scenario would allow both Verrett and Garcia to remain with the Orioles, but it doesn’t mean it will happen. The Orioles could choose to keep just one of the pitchers, trade Matusz and keep Gonzalez as a middle reliever.
It’s a good problem for Baltimore to have, as the team is stacked with quality relievers. T.J. McFarland, Ryan Webb and Tyler Wilson will all be quality options able to come up from Norfolk throughout the season.
However, the Orioles don’t have a lot of time to figure it out, as the players must be returned to their teams if they don’t make the 25-man roster. Moving Matusz as soon as possible will help the Orioles keep both pitchers.
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One Response
I think our preemptive attempt to trade Brian Matusz is a mistake. I still think that there is a future with him in the rotation especially with Chen most likely leaving after this season. He is going to turn into another Jake Arrieta if he is allowed to leave. I say keep him and release Webb to free up one of the spots in the pen.