Key Takeaways:
– Despite a strong start to 2024, the Baltimore Orioles are looking to fine-tune their pitching rotation.
– Jake Mintz denies the likelihood of Orioles acquiring Oakland Athletics closer, Mason Miller on Glenn Clark Radio.
– Mintz doubts Orioles would trade their No.2 prospect, Samuel Basallo, for Miller.
– Baltimore Orioles’ 35-year-old closer, Craig Kimbrel, has been inconsistent recently, causing concerns for the team.
– Baltimore’s pitching coach, Drew French, remains optimistic about Kimbrel’s performance.
Looking for a Fine-Tuned Pitching Rotation
The Baltimore Orioles have made an impressive start to 2024 with a 23-11 record, securing MLB’s second-best standing. However, there seems to be some trouble in paradise, as the team’s pitching rotation, particularly the bullpen, needs a serious look-over. With Orioles’ 2023 closer, Felix Bautista, not having a timeline for return, the team is undoubtedly feeling a void.
The Unlikely Acquisition Of Mason Miller
In the quest to fill this void, one name, Mason Miller, the Oakland Athletics’ closer, was doing the rounds. But, analyst Jake Mintz, on Glenn Clark Radio, dismissed the chances of an Orioles trade for the young closer. Mintz emphasized the team’s reluctance to overpay, citing Mike Elias’s history of prudent expenditure.
Miller comes with impressive statistics, striking out 29 of 54 batters faced in 2024. However, this compelling performance doesn’t appear to tilt the scales in favor of him joining Orioles, considering the team’s firm stand on expenditure.
Prospects Used As Bargaining Chips
The likeliness of the Miller deal hinges on the trade offer, according to Mintz. For it to come to fruition, Orioles may have to give up Samuel Basallo, their No.2 prospect. Basallo, currently, has put up solid performances for the Orioles’ Double-A affiliate Bowie Baysox.
Question marks over Baltimore’s valuation of the fourth-year catcher and first baseman persist. However, their history of including promising prospects in deals that could positively impact their team reflect a likely responsiveness to such a proposition.
Kimbrel’s Struggles & Optimism of Change
Craig Kimbrel, in his first season with Baltimore, started off impressive. However, his performance has been spotty recently. He’s managed only a 66-percent success rate in save situations, which is a source of concern for the team.
Despite this, Baltimore’s pitching coach, Drew French, paints an optimistic outlook. Stressing execution-based lapses in Kimbrel’s performances, he believes the 35-year-old closer is in a good spot now, with chances of major improvements imminent.
Kimbrel’s future achievements or lack thereof might influence Baltimore’s decision to bring fresh additions to the pitching staff. Nevertheless, the balance still seems to tilt away from the idea of an acquisition as significant as that of Mason Miller.
Taking all these factors into account, the Orioles’ next move pertaining to their pitching squad remains a topic of intense speculation.