The Baltimore Orioles’ strategy heading into the July 30 trade deadline regarding acquiring pitchers, potentially including Erick Fedde from the Chicago White Sox, remains ambiguous, according to recent reports. Jim Bowden of The Athletic identified Baltimore as a potential destination for Fedde, noting the Orioles, along with the Cardinals and Braves, as leading contenders for his services.
Bowden highlighted Baltimore’s advantageous position due to their robust farm system, ranked highly across MLB. He emphasized that Orioles’ General Manager Mike Elias possesses ample prospects to facilitate a trade for any available starter without compromising their top talents. This flexibility positions Baltimore competitively in potential bidding wars for pitchers like Fedde.
At 31 years old, Fedde has experienced a career resurgence in Major League Baseball following his stint in South Korea in 2023. As of July 10, he boasts an impressive 2.99 ERA over 111.1 innings across 19 games, making him a sought-after asset for teams seeking pitching stability.
Ken Rosenthal underscored Baltimore’s urgent need for starting pitchers in a recent column for The Athletic, citing concerns about their future pitching roster. Rosenthal pointed out that beyond the current season, only Grayson Rodriguez, Dean Kremer, and Cade Povich are under team control, emphasizing the Orioles’ imperative to secure long-term pitching solutions.
Rosenthal echoed Bowden’s sentiments regarding Baltimore’s farm system, noting its depth as a significant advantage in trade negotiations. He highlighted the surplus of position-player prospects, suggesting that Elias’ willingness to invest in the market could replicate the successful acquisition of Corbin Burnes in the past.
Currently, the Orioles boast three prospects ranked within the top 15 on MLB Pipeline, reinforcing their potential to make impactful trades without compromising their future. However, the likelihood of trading these top talents for pitching remains uncertain despite their depth.
In recent roster moves announced on July 11, the Orioles added Burch Smith, formerly of the Miami Marlins, to their 40-man roster while optioning Dillon Tate to Triple-A. Smith, who logged a 4.25 ERA in 25 games with the Marlins, showed promising form with the Norfolk Tides in Triple-A, underscoring Baltimore’s efforts to fortify their bullpen amid challenges.
The Orioles have struggled in July, conceding 44 runs over eight games, highlighting the urgency for pitching reinforcements. Smith’s addition provides immediate relief, though his ability to sustain his performance at the Major League level remains to be seen.
As Baltimore navigates the complexities of the trade deadline and seeks to address their pitching deficiencies, their decisions regarding potential acquisitions like Fedde will shape their competitiveness in the second half of the season and beyond. The Orioles’ commitment to balancing short-term needs with long-term strategic planning will be crucial in their quest to elevate their pitching staff and improve their overall performance in the competitive landscape of Major League Baseball.
