The Baltimore Orioles are one of the best teams in baseball this season, leading the AL East and sitting near the top of the MLB standings. However, with the MLB trade deadline just a few months away, the Orioles are already reportedly eyeing some potential targets.
Entering MLB games today, the Orioles lineup ranks eighth in batting average (.249), sixth in runs scored (196) and second in slugging percentage (.445). Furthermore, per FanGraphs, the Orioles rotation has the sixth-best ERA (3.28) and fourth-best WHIP (1.10) in the majors.
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Armed with a well-stocked farm system featuring multiple Orioles top prospects who scouts believe could start for a majority of MLB teams and plenty of depth for their starting rotation, Baltimore seems to have one clear need to target at the MLB trade deadline.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Orioles “privately realize” that they need to find a closer for the pennant race who can offer better consistency in October. While Craig Kimbrel currently holds the position, he is not trusted as an arm Baltimore can turn to in critical situations during the postseason.
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While Kimbrel has converted 8 saves this season and holds a 34.6 percent strikeout rate, he has also surrendered a 13.6 percent walk rate with a 1.30 WHIP in 15.1 innings pitched. The veteran has also been less effective as of late, allowing 6 earned runs and 13 base runners in his last 4.1 innings. As a result, Nightengale says there are three closers Baltimore is eyeing ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
