As I was putting together today’s O’s Links, which are quite unremarkable in and of themselves, just some fun little tidbits and things to get you through your workday, THIS nonsense popped up on my Twitter feed:
The Orioles appear to be willing to talk about former first-round pick Kevin Gausman in possible trades,as they look for ways to get better.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 22, 2015
That’s right, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Birds appear willing to talk about moving tonight’s starter, Kevin Gausman, in a trade. While this is most likely just more of the typical trade deadline lip-flapping that comes from GM’s (like the O’s being “interested” in Johnny Cueto, for instance), it’s still a bit jarring when you imagine a scenario where The Gas Man is on another team here very shortly.
At the same time though, while I would hate to see Gausman get traded, I’d barely hate it any more than the way the team has treated him for the last two seasons (and especially this season). As they continue to prove that they have no clue how to develop a first-round pick into a true top-of-the-rotation starter, maybe it would be best to get some proven MLB talent for the kid before they completely ruin him.
Admittedly, that’s a bit of emotion talking. Most likely, Gausman isn’t going anywhere (except, very probably, to Norfolk…again…sometime kinda soon).
Anyway, here’s some links.
8 Best Trade Destinations for Justin Upton
Speaking of things that probably won’t happen, Jesse Spector lists the eight “best” trade destinations for outfielder Justin Upton of the San Diego Padres, and the O’s come in at number six. Cool.
What’s Happened to Teams that Traded for Aces?
As long as we’re talking about trades, let’s talk about the mantra that we hear time and again from O’s fans, that they need to “trade for an ace” to get over the hump. FanGraph’s Jeff Sullivan asked, “well, what happens when teams trade for an ace midseason?” Do they win the World Series? The answer, in a word, is NO. That doesn’t mean teams shouldn’t try to improve, it just means getting a guy like Cueto or David Price right now is by no means an indicator of a future World Series Champion.
Wacky Idea: What if the Orioles Traded for Jim Johnson?
In all likelihood, the Birds won’t trade for an “ace,” anyway. If anything, they may bring on some bullpen help, a la Andrew Miller in 2014. Baltimore Sports Report’s Zach Wilt wonders if maybe some bullpen help could come in the form of former Oriole closer Jim Johnson, who has allowed just one run in his last 18 appearances for Atlanta.
Cue the Pretender?
This Day in Orioles History – Eddie Murray Returns to Baltimore
July 22, 1996, was an awesome day to be a 13-year-old O’s fan. My favorite player as a young child, who the Birds traded away, was coming back. Murray homered in his return to his first team, and Matt Taylor of Roar from 34 has more of the details.
Section 336 Daily – Mustache Love
In Bert’s daily this week, he reminds you to get out to Buffalo Wild Wings in Columbia tonight for the live show and some great giveaways, recaps Wei-Yin Chen’s “GOOD” night, and gives some dap to Brendan Ryan’s horrific mustache.
The O’s DFA’d Wesley Wright not long ago, and like Delmon Young before him, were unable to work out a trade, meaning they’ll again be forced to eat the remainder of a contract, this time $1.7M. Nice allocation of resources this year, Dan.
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