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MLB: Teams that Need to Make a Move Before the Deadline

By Greg Goldstein

Apr 27, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels introduces newly signed outfielder Josh Hamilton before the game between the Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels introduces newly signed outfielder Josh Hamilton before the game between the Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baltimore Orioles Must Land a Starter

Jul 29, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (39) kicks at the mound as Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (10) rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (39) kicks at the mound as Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (10) rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Need: Starting Pitching

Potential Fits: Jeremy Hellickson, Ervin Santana, Erasmo Ramirez, Wade Miley

It’s no secret that the Orioles’ starting staff has struggled in 2016. This was predicted by multiple pundits coming into the season, and it seems that the naysayers of this rotation have been proven correct. What many pundits did get wrong is that Baltimore is right in the thick of the AL East playoff race, despite a lack of production from their starting pitchers.

The O’s have the most powerful lineup in MLB and have one of the top three bullpens in the game as well, headlined by All Stars Zach Britton, Brad Brach and Darren O’Day. Their batting order is not very diverse in terms of their being a variety of hitters, but the team can still put up runs like no other in the game when they are all clicking. Don’t let the rumored pursuit of Melvin Upton fool you; the Orioles focus is on adding another starter by August 1.

Baltimore just lost the American League East lead to the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday, mostly due to Kevin Gausman and Yovani Gallardo giving up 11 earned runs in the first two games of their weekend series. Gausman and Gallardo were supposed to be part of the club’s trio of solid starting pitching, but while Chris Tillman has lived up to his billing of an ace, the latter two have not.

However, there is a noticeable lack of starting pitchers on the trade block. Still there are enough options for the Orioles to land someone come the end of the MLB trade deadline. Baltimore’s farm system is void of any top tier prospects, so the club is probably going to have to settle for a middle-of-the-rotation arm or possible just an innings eater, both of whom would help.

Jeremy Hellickson is the best option available for the Orioles, but the Phillies seem like they are content letting him rack up innings and handing him a qualifying offer come the offseason. He’s going to cost the O’s one of their better prospects. Ervin Santana has been pitching well as of late, but he is still more of an innings eater who is on a rather expensive contract. The club is reported to be intrigued by Rays reliever Erasmo Ramirez as a starter. The same is said of Wade Miley, who as struggled with the Seattle Mariners this year.

The Orioles need to acquire another starting pitcher if they hope to contend with Boston and Toronto, and there are at least a few options that they could heavily pursue.

Next: Texas Rangers

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