SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 29: Carlos Rodon #16 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the top of the sixth inning at Oracle Park on September 29, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Could the Baltimore Orioles Be Players in the Carlos Rodon Race?
Opinion: Camden Yards Deprived of All Star Game For No Good Reason
Although the Baltimore Orioles didn’t make a transaction, it was another busy day in the baseball world and at Birds Watcher! A significant trade involving two 2022 playoff teams took place, and more:
Orioles News 11/17/22 – Rodon rumors, Lyles season review, and more
Could the O’s actually land Carlos Rodon?
The Athletic’s Jim Bowden reported on Wednesday that the Baltimore Orioles were checking in on “almost all” of the top free agent pitchers including Rodon, sure to be music to the ears of Birdland citizens far and wide. The Orioles have never made such a substantial annual commitment to one player but if there’s one thing the Mike Elias regime has taught us, it’s that things aren’t the same as they used to be inside the warehouse. We dissected the big man’s filthy repertoire and why it makes him the best pitcher available that isn’t named Justin Verlander or Jacob deGrom.
Jordan Lyles makes the grade
As part of Birds Watcher’s 2022 report card series, Contributor Daniel Cereghin handed the innings eater his final grades. It remains to be seen if Lyles will return in 2023 but either way, his significant contributions to the first winning Orioles team since 2016 are worth commending and won’t be forgotten. May there be an endless buffet of innings wherever you go.
Around the League: Mariners acquire an All-Star
The most significant transaction of the day was without a doubt the trade between the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays that sent All Star outfielder Teoscar Hernández to the M’s for reliever Erik Swanson and a pitching prospect. Hernández instantly improves a Mariners offense that posted a cumulative .311 wOBA that was 14th in baseball. The trade seems a head scratcher for the Blue Jays on the surface, although insiders believe this is the precursor to a pursuit of free agent outfielder Brandon Nimmo.
For more coverage on the deal, be sure to check out our friends at SoDo Mojo and Jays Journal. Until next time, Orioles fans!