Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB: Ross Atkins clear head of AL East general managers

By Bill Felber

Jul 2, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA; Tampa Bay Rays catcher Francisco Mejia (28) misses the tag as Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Marcus Semien (10) is safe at home plate during the second inning at Sahlen Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 2, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA; Tampa Bay Rays catcher Francisco Mejia (28) misses the tag as Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Marcus Semien (10) is safe at home plate during the second inning at Sahlen Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Outfielder Ryan McKenna (65) and infielder Maikel Franco (3)  are two of Baltimore’s recent additions. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Outfielder Ryan McKenna (65) and infielder Maikel Franco (3)  are two of Baltimore’s recent additions. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Orioles, Mike Elias, -4.2 games

Like Neander in Tampa, Elias spent the MLB off-season fixated on pitching. Of 18 new faces to the Orioles this season, 14 are pitchers. The only exceptions are role-players: backup infielder Tyler Nevin, veterans Freddy Galvis and Maikel Franco, and rookie outfielder Ryan McKenna.

Franco (-1.8) drives the class average down pretty substantially. He went on the injured list batting .221 with a .641 on base average, obviously not good enough for a team’s regular third baseman.

You also have to look pretty hard to find promise in the influx of arms. The Orioles have high hopes for rookie starter Dean Kremer (-1.2). But to date he has been cuffed around to an 0-7 record and 7.25 ERA in a dozen starts, and then sent down to the minors for reflection.

Another callup, Keegan Akin (-1.0), is 0-4 with a 7.46 ERA in his seven MLB starts. To date Akin, unlike Kremer, has not been sent down for seasoning.

The team’s closer is Cesar Valdez, a 2020 free agent signee who has not lost his rookie status. But Valdez (-0.5) has a 6.18 ERA in 26 appearances.

Next. Assessing the AL West GMs. dark

Alex Cobb, a veteran arm, was shipped to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for a minor leaguer. Cobb (+0.2) is actually having a decent season in Anaheim with a 6-3 record and 4.63 ERA. That’s better than he ever did in three seasons with the Orioles.

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