Baltimore Orioles showing urgency in making trades for once
With a major fire sale coming, the Baltimore Orioles are showing urgency in making a deal. According to rival evaluators, this is a departure from the norm.
Over the past few years, making a deal with the Baltimore Orioles has been a challenge. Just look back to last year, when Zach Britton was seemingly on his way to the Astros, only for the trade to be shot down at the last minute. Understandably, the Orioles front office does not exactly have the best reputation when it comes to making a deal.
However, that has changed in recent weeks. For once, the Orioles are focused, organized, and actually following through on calls. While a trade has not happened yet, this version of the Baltimore front office appears poised to make things happen.
Other teams are saying the Orioles going about their trade business very differently than in the past -- to rival evaluators, they seem much more focused, much more organized, much more aggressive, much more engaged.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 4, 2018
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It is understandable as to why the Orioles would be a lot more focused. This trade deadline has a chance to dramatically alter the future of the franchise, depending on what they get in return. While Brad Brach and Britton have struggled, there should still be a respectable market for Adam Jones. Manny Machado alone should bring back the type of return that can change the Orioles destiny over the next few years.
And yet, those words, for as much of a compliment as they are meant to be, are still damning. It also goes to show why the Orioles were seemingly incapable of capitalizing on their best opportunity to kick start the rebuild at last year’s trade deadline. Or, their refusal to make a deal this offseason, short of the thus far ill-fated signing of Alex Cobb.
Perhaps this change will remain beyond this month. Orioles general manager Dan Duquette has a wealth of baseball knowledge, and has built solid teams in the past. If left to his own devices, he may be able to bring the Orioles back to glory, even if it takes some time. At least, for now, he is being allowed to pursue the deals he sees fit.
Next: Machado rumors heating up
The Baltimore Orioles have been engaged as they discuss trades. This shows that they are serious about maximizing value, and beginning the rebuild in earnest.