2024-07-31 06:00:02
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Buster Olney, ESPN Senior Writer
The Baltimore Orioles traded for Marlins left-handed starter Trevor Rogers on Tuesday, using some of the minor league talent they have stockpiled in recent years.
Miami received second baseman Connor Norby and outfielder Kyle Stowers in return.
Rogers, 26, is 2-9 with a 4.53 ERA but has gotten better results over his past nine starts, generating a 3.17 ERA. Norby is ranked as the Orioles’ 12th-best overall prospect by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel. Stowers, 26, reached the majors in the past, but he has had all but 36 at-bats in the minor leagues this season.
The Orioles have had a glaring need for rotation help because of a series of devastating injuries to their rotation. Last week, they traded for the Rays’ Zach Eflin, who is under contract for 2025, and now they get Rogers, who turns 27 in November and will be under team control for the next two seasons.
The Orioles, as well as many of the top teams in the majors, have been fighting through a midseason malaise, with a lot of pitching struggles — but Baltimore is fighting the Yankees and the Red Sox for the top of the AL East. Mike Elias, the Orioles’ general manager, has been conservative at past trade deadlines, preferring to hold onto prospects. But with the Orioles in a tough race for a playoff spot, Baltimore has surrendered two position players from what is generally regarded as the best farm system in the sport.
Norby was the Orioles’ second-round pick in 2021, and like so many of the Baltimore players, he has improved in the minors. He has hit .297 with 16 homers and 13 steals for Triple-A Norfolk this year.
The Marlins made the playoffs last year for the first time in a full season since 2003, but from early this season, when they traded Luis Arraez, they have been focused on trading their older players for young talent while reducing payroll.
