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Baltimore Orioles: Mike Elias quietly wins big at the trade deadline

By Nick Stevens

A general view of the stadium before the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 23, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
A general view of the stadium before the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 23, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

The Baltimore Orioles added another 2021 starting rotation candidate.

You can always count on the New York Mets doing Mets things, luckily for Baltimore Orioles fans, Mike Elias was able to capitalize on whatever Brodie Van Wagenen thinks he’s trying to do in New York.

In what may be the most impressive deadline deal for the Orioles, Baltimore secured left-handed pitcher Kevin Smith and a Player To Be Named Later (or cash considerations) for reliever Miguel Castro.

After years of Orioles fans placing a lot of hope and optimism on Castro’s electric raw stuff, the roller coaster that is the Miguel Castro experience is over in Birdland.

At one point this year, Castro led all relievers in Wins Above Replacement, thanks to a wicked 98 mph fastball and fascinating 93 mph changeup regularly featured on Pitching Ninja’s timeline. Since then, Castro has seen his ERA jump to 4.02, and his fWAR drop to 0.2 after allowing 13 hits and seven earned runs across his last 7.2 innings.

Relievers are extremely volatile, we all know that, and Miguel Castro is no exception.

What the Orioles were able to get in return is a 23-year-old, 6’5″ deceptive lefty who has climbed from part-time reliever/part-time starter at the University of Georgia to the New York Mets Minor League Pitcher of the Year in just over 100 professional innings.

Brodie Van Wagenen was quoted as saying the Mets viewed Kevin Smith as a starting rotation option at the major league level, yet he sent him to Baltimore (along with another unnamed player), in exchange for a slight chance he catches lightning in a bottle with Castro.

It’s an optimistic move, but as one of the very few card-carrying members of the Miguel Castro fan club, I wouldn’t even make this deal if I’m the Mets.

The Orioles now have another starting rotation candidate to add the mix in 2021 and a prospect who ranks 12th in what is now one of the top farm systems in baseball.

Chalk this one up as yet another big win for Mike Elias.

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