2024-07-31 05:50:02
BALTIMORE — Prior to Tuesday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline, the Orioles’ pitching staff skewed too right-handed, with not enough lefties to help them in their push for a second consecutive American League East title.
That’s no longer an issue.
Baltimore first acquired southpaw Trevor Rogers from Miami, with infield prospect Connor Norby and outfielder Kyle Stowers going to the Marlins in return. Rogers is slated to be the only lefty in the O’s rotation, with John Means (Tommy John surgery) out for the season.
The Orioles then added left-handed reliever Gregory Soto from the Phillies in exchange for right-hander Seth Johnson (the club’s No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline) and fellow Minor League righty Moisés Chace, a source told MLB.com.
TRADE DETAILS
Orioles get: LHP Trevor Rogers from Miami, LHP Gregory Soto from Philadelphia
Marlins get: INF Connor Norby (O’s No. 5 prospect), OF Kyle Stowers
Phillies get: Minor League RHPs Seth Johnson (O’s No. 8 prospect) and Moisés Chace
Rogers has a 4.53 ERA in 21 starts this year, with 85 strikeouts and a 1.53 WHIP over 105 1/3 innings. The 26-year-old southpaw has a 4.23 ERA in 80 career starts over five big league seasons, although he was limited to four outings in 2023 due to injuries (left biceps strain/right lat strain). Rogers placed second in National League Rookie of the Year Award voting in 2021, his lone season as an All-Star.
“Always looking for starting pitching, and hopefully, he can help us down the stretch,” manager Brandon Hyde said of Rogers.
After a slow start to the year (5.68 ERA through 12 starts), Rogers has recorded a 3.17 ERA over his past nine outings, allowing two or fewer earned runs in eight of those starts, and only three in the other.
The move for Rogers came on the heels of the O’s trade for right-handed starter Zach Eflin with the Rays on Friday. Their rotation lost three starters in June, when Kyle Bradish, Means and Tyler Wells all underwent season-ending UCL surgeries.
Like Eflin, who is under contract through the end of the 2025 season, Rogers comes with some team control, as he isn’t set to hit free agency until after the ‘26 campaign.
“He’s going to bring competitiveness,” said Eflin, who allowed three runs in six innings in his Orioles debut vs. the Blue Jays on Monday. “He pitches like a bulldog, and he’s always been fun to watch pitch, so I’m looking forward to getting to know him and getting to work with him.”
Here’s how Baltimore’s rotation landscape now stands:
1. RHP Corbin Burnes
2. RHP Grayson Rodriguez
3. RHP Zach Eflin
4. LHP Trevor Rogers
5. RHP Dean Kremer
Depth options: RHP Albert Suárez, RHP Chayce McDermott (No. 6 prospect), LHP Cade Povich (No. 7).
Suárez, who has made 14 starts among his 21 outings, will likely be shifting to the bullpen to make room for Rogers.
“The experience that [Eflin] brings — you saw what a pro he was [Monday],” Hyde said. “With Rogers, the incredible rookie year, and then I know he’s had some injury stuff, but the last couple months, he’s been really good. So hopefully, those guys both help us down the stretch.”
Norby and Stowers had both been blocked in the Orioles’ deep farm system, with each getting only sporadic time in the Majors this season. Norby (who had been on the 26-man roster) went 6-for-32 with two homers over his nine MLB games this year, while Stowers slashed .229/.274/.369 with four homers in 67 big league games over the past three seasons.
In Miami, both former O’s should get opportunities for increased playing time.
“Norby and Stowers have been awesome. Not only great friends to me, but great baseball players. They’re going to go on and have great big league careers,” outfielder Heston Kjerstad said. “It was fun playing with them, but it will be fun playing against them in the time to come.”
Soto will give Baltimore another high-leverage lefty to use in addition to Cionel Pérez. The O’s are also expecting southpaw Danny Coulombe (surgery to remove bone chips in left elbow) to potentially return in September.
A two-time All-Star for Detroit in ‘21 and ‘22, Soto had been with Philadelphia since the start of ‘23. The 29-year-old had a 4.08 ERA in 35 1/3 innings over 43 appearances for the Phillies this season.
Soto will be reunited with right-handed reliever Seranthony Domínguez, who was traded from the Phils to the O’s on Friday. Closer Craig Kimbrel spent the 2023 season with both of them in Philadelphia’s bullpen.
