Orioles Rumors: Kevin Gregg and Matt Lindstrom

The Baltimore Orioles have received calls on relievers Kevin Gregg and Matt Lindstrom, according to Nick Carfado of the Boston Globe.  Teams in need of pitching have reportedly reached out to the Orioles, a club that Carfado characterizes as having a deep bullpen.  Clubs that have been tied to relievers this season include the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels.

Entering the year, if you said the Orioles were taking calls on Kevin Gregg and Matt Lindstrom in early May most would believe it because they were struggling, not because their bullpen was deep.  However, the Orioles are certainly not struggling, as they lead the majors in winning percentage, and their bullpen has statistically been the best in the league (1.41 ERA).

The Orioles have reportedly been shopping Gregg for some time now.  Since the veteran right-hander was signed to become the club’s closer two offseasons ago, Gregg has been a disappointment.  In the final year of his two-year, $10 million deal, the Orioles would be fine cutting ties with Gregg.

For his part, Gregg hasn’t been overly spectacular in 2012, as he owns the worst WHIP (1.62) and ERA (5.19) among Orioles relievers.  Still, some teams may covet Gregg’s track record (career 4.10 ERA, 1.366 WHIP) and late-game experience (144 career saves).

Matt Lindstrom was acquired by the Orioles in the trade that sent Jeremy Guthrie to the Colorado Rockies.  Lindstrom has pitched extremely well for the Orioles this season, not surrendering a run over his first 13 innings while allowing nine hits, striking out 14 and walking three.  Lindstrom also offers potential suitors closing experience, as the 32-year-old has compiled 45 career saves.

Speaking to the Orioles depth, the Birds are not counting on either Lindstrom or Gregg for late innings on a consistent basis.  Jim Johnson is the club’s closer, and Pedro Strop has been used as the club’s setup man.

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