Six weeks ago, the Orioles brought in their biggest trade deadline haul in years.
Entering the July 30 deadline with his team sitting at 63-44, Orioles general manager Mike Elias made six major league trades, sending away young talent to bring in players they hoped could help them win now. The Orioles were dealing with a pileup of injuries and needed to bring in reinforcements to help them down the stretch. At the time of the deadline, starters Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells and John Means had already been ruled out for the season and left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe was out until late September.
Since then, infielders Jordan Westburg, Ramón Urías, Ryan Mountcastle and Jorge Mateo have hit the injured list, in addition to pitchers Grayson Rodriguez and Jacob Webb, making the new additions even more important.
But just how have these trades played out? Here’s a look.
LHP Gregory Soto
The start of his Orioles tenure was disastrous. In his first three appearances, Soto was not even able to get through an inning as he gave up 8 earned runs. But, after that, he went on a stretch of 10 scoreless appearances, allowing just four hits in that span. On Saturday, he broke that streak when he gave up one earned run in one-third of an inning in the Orioles loss.
What the Orioles gave up: right-handers Seth Johnson and Moisés Chace.
Johnson did great in his three Triple-A starts after the deadline — pitching to a 0.56 ERA — but got shelled in his major league debut Sunday, allowing nine runs in 2 1/3 innings.
Chace was assigned to Double-A — a level up from where he was with the Orioles — where he has pitched to a 3.66 ERA in his four starts in the Phillies organization.
Analysis: Soto hasn’t completely earned the trust of manager Brandon Hyde to be used in high-leverage, late-inning spots yet, but, with Craig Kimbrel continuing to drop, Soto’s time could be coming if he keeps his performance up. The Orioles have Soto for another season, giving them another 12 months to work with him.
The team wouldn’t have turned to Johnson or Chace this season, so losing them won’t affect them in the short term, especially seeing how Johnson performed in his debut.
RHP Zach Eflin
Eflin has been a savior to the Orioles rotation, and figures to be their game two starter in the postseason. He did require a brief 15-day stint on the injured list in August with shoulder inflammation, but returned as soon as he was eligible and picked up right where he left off. He has a 2.37 ERA in his six starts, pitching into at least the sixth inning in each outing.
What the Orioles gave up: RHP Jackson Baumeister, utilityman Mac Horvath and outfielder Matthew Etzel.
Baumeister, a promising starter, has a 1.24 in his seven appearances since landing with the Rays’ high-A team. His strikeout numbers have gone way up, with the right-hander reaching a season-high 11 during his Aug. 30 start. He followed it up by striking out nine in his last start on Sept. 5.
Horvath, assigned to High-A, and Etzel, to Double-A, are performing on par with how they were in the Orioles organization so far and enter the Rays’ prospect rankings on MLB Pipeline at No. 20 and No. 25, respectively.
Analysis: This is playing out to be one of the best trades of the season. When the Orioles acquired Eflin, they were in search of a strong veteran to replace Bradish in the rotation for the second half of the season and beyond, as Bradish may be out for next season as well. The Orioles did not know, however, that they would also be losing Rodriguez for a good chunk of the stretch run — and potentially the rest of the regular season — as well. That’s made Eflin’s role even more important, and he’s performing like a true No. 2 for them.
LHP Trevor Rogers
The Orioles optioned him to Triple-A after he pitched to a 7.11 ERA in four starts, taking a risk on rookie starter Cade Povich down the stretch instead. Rogers’ first start with the Tides wasn’t any better than his major league appearances, as he gave up 10 runs in 4 1/3 innings. But he’s thrown two quality starts since then and his numbers have shown slight improvements.
What the Orioles gave up: outfielder Kyle Stowers and infielder Connor Norby.
Stowers and Norby are already everyday contributors in the Marlins lineup, just like they probably would have been in Baltimore had they been given daily playing time. Norby was first assigned to Triple-A, where he primarily played third. Since his recall, he has been tearing it up with 13 extra-base hits in his first 18 games, nearly tying a franchise record. Stowers has played in 34 games with the Marlins — equal to his season-high with the Orioles in 2022 — and is hitting .179.
Analysis: So far, this trade gets a failing grade. The Orioles acquired Rogers anticipating that he would be a long-term project. His strikeout rate with Miami this year dropped to 17.8% while his walk rate went up to 9.9%, but the Orioles have plenty of time to get Rogers back to All-Star form as he is under contract through the 2026 season.
It’ll be interesting to see how this trade plays out over the next two seasons, but for now, the Orioles are getting nothing out of this, with no plausible path back to the majors for Rogers this season.
RHP Seranthony Domínguez and OF Cristian Pache
Domínguez has eight saves for the Orioles, and all five of the runs he’s allowed have come on solo homers.
Pache was designated for assignment after three games with the Orioles and is now with the Marlins.
What the Orioles gave up: outfielder Austin Hays.
Hays has landed on the injured list twice, first with a left hamstring strain and now with a kidney infection. He hit .254 in the 19 games he’s been healthy for.
Analysis: The Orioles needed someone to step up and be their closer with Kimbrel’s decline, and Domínguez has fit that bill for them. He will be a free agent after this season, but with Félix Bautista expected to be back for opening day, the Orioles shouldn’t need Domínguez’s services anymore.
Colton Cowser has played more left field in the absence of Hays, and the team acquired Austin Slater, a right-handed bat, to replace Hays in the lineup against left-handed pitchers.
OF Austin Slater and INF Livan Soto
Slater primarily platoons for the Orioles, starting against left-handed pitching, and is slashing .260/.373/.380 in 23 games.
Soto can play shortstop, second base and third base, giving the Orioles valuable depth as a defensive replacement.
What the Orioles gave up: cash considerations or a player to be named later.
Very little risk for a potentially high reward.
Analysis: An underrated acquisition, Slater has been a great right-handed addition to the Orioles’ lineup in place of Hays. He can play all three outfield positions, in addition to being a good leadoff candidate, and has postseason experience to aid a young lineup.
The Orioles clearly like Soto, as they claimed him twice this year before acquiring him in this trade. Since the deadline, he’s spent time with the Orioles and Triple-A Norfolk Tides. He’s remained on Baltimore’s active roster since Aug. 26.
DH Eloy Jiménez
Jiménez has revived his season with the Orioles, hitting .253 in 29 games. He’s not playing in the field at all — but working toward it with the help of Anthony Santander — and has brought energy into the clubhouse.
What the Orioles gave up: LHP Trey McGough.
McGough, a left-handed pitcher, was assigned to the White Sox’s Triple-A affiliate, the same level he was with the Orioles. The 26-year-old has a 2.33 ERA in his 19 1/3 innings pitched.
Analysis: This was another low-risk, high-reward deal for the Orioles — they did give up a pitcher who was one step below the majors, but the White Sox are paying almost all of Jiménez’s salary for the rest of the season. The Orioles likely won’t pick up his $16.5 million club option for 2025, but a vibes guy who can hit doubles against left-handed pitching is a good addition for the team right now.
