Baltimore Orioles Acquire Bud Norris

Jul 3, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher

(20) pitches during the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Many thought that the Baltimore Orioles would make a trade as the so-called “trade-season” was starting, but reports started to pile up that Baltimore might just be very quiet as the deadline approached. Just before the deadline however, rumors were coming in that the Orioles had made a trade for Bud Norris, a name that had been floating around in rumors on message boards all week. While it wasn’t immediate, Ken Rosenthal confirmed via Twitter that Buck Showalter‘s team did acquire Norris from the Astros. Ironically, the Orioles are battling the Astros tonight in the second of a three-game series.

Rosenthal tweeted on Wednesday afternoon to confirm the big deal.

Starting pitching was something that the Orioles have needed as the staff has been very sub-par on the year. Names like Bud Norris have been rumored all week, but some insiders believed that the Orioles would wait until the waiver period to get a pitcher. One of those was Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. Here’s what Connolly wrote just before the move:

“But right now it looks like they may not get anything done… unless the demands come down, they will wait for August, when players must clear trade waivers before being dealt”

Grabbing Norris is a huge move for the O’s, a team that is looking to make a deep playoff push. He could be the final piece to a staff that needs an extra arm.

The Orioles gave up minor-leaguers L.J Hoes and Josh Hader for Norris.

Editor Update: According to Ken Rosenthal the Astros will receive Hoes, Hader, and Baltimore’s Competitive Balance pick in next June’s Draft. Danny Knobler at CBS Sports, however, is reporting that there are concerns over some of the medical reports on Hader, meaning he could be switched out for another player before a deal is finalized.