Trade Deadline Preview: Baltimore Orioles

Jun 25, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) is interviewed after a game against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the White Sox 5-4 in twelve innings. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

As of June 28th, the Baltimore Orioles find themselves in the middle of a very competitive American League East division. The Orioles are 42-38 (.525) and are a game and a half out of first place in the AL East and a game out of the second Wild Card spot.

Their standout star right now is Nelson Cruz. The O’s signed Cruz to a one-year, $8 million deal in the offseason. Cruz is proving to doubters that he deserved more than that deal. He has pummeled pitching, boasting a hitting line of .289/.354/.587, with 25 home runs and 66 runs batted in.

The “cruzing” offense has not been properly complimented by their pitching. Baltimore’s pitching staff has recorded a 3.89 ERA (nineteenth-best in MLB) to go along with a 4.27 FIP (second-worst in MLB).

The Orioles gave Ubaldo Jimenez a four-year, $50 million deal, that many people thought was a great deal. Well, Jimenez has a 2-8 record with a mediocre 4.70 ERA in sixteen starts. He has been very inconsistent, but others in the rotation have stepped up like Wei-Yin Chen and Bud Norris.