The post critiques the Cubs' signing of hard‑throwing reliever Hunter Harvey, highlighting his injury‑plagued career and limited impact. Drafted 22nd overall by the Orioles in 2018, Harvey showed promise with the Nationals, logging 20 saves in 2023 before his performance fell off. In 2026 he appeared in only four Cubs games, totaling 12 outs across 18 batters, costing Chicago $6 million—$500,000 per out. The author urges GM Jed Hoyer to skip the $8 million mutual option for 2027 and warns against similar signings.
And maybe add more smart baseball people like Mike Shildt
Orioles infield coach Miguel Cairo praises Gunnar Henderson, saying he’d love 26 players like him, as the team looks to recapture Henderson’s 2024 MVP form. The article notes new GM Jared Banner’s upcoming offseason moves, including potential pair‑ings with Pete Alonso, and highlights prospects such as Ethan Anderson. Amid World Series chatter and a looming lockout, the coaching staff remains upbeat about Henderson’s impact on Baltimore’s future.
The article revisits the Orioles’ most controversial Mike Elias‑era trade: catcher Adley Rutschman’s August 3, 2026, deal to Boston. The Orioles sent Rutschman and Jake Rogers for Carlos Narváez and four top‑30 prospects (Anthony Eyanson, Enddy Azocar, Kyson Witherspoon, Harold Rivas). It outlines Rutschman’s rise—2022 rookie spark, 2023 All‑Star/Silver Slugger, 2024 All‑Star start—followed by injury‑plagued declines in 2024‑26, prompting the trade before free agency. In Boston, Rutschman hit .222 with five homers before another stint on the IL, while the Orioles now rely on Narváez, Sam Basallo and Yohel Pozo amid roster uncertainty. The piece weighs the trade’s short‑term fallout and long‑term evaluation.
As the World Series heads toward a conclusion, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred warns that a salary‑cap‑driven lockout could begin on Dec. 1, throwing the offseason into uncertainty. The lockout may force teams, including the Orioles, to pause major free‑agent deals until budget rules are clear. Meanwhile, the Brewers edged the Rays 3‑2 in Game 1, with Trevor Megill sealing the win. The article also touches on Orioles topics: Jared Banner’s potential impact, prospect Ethan Anderson’s progress, infield coach Miguel Cairo’s praise for Gunnar Henderson, and birthday notes for former O’s players. The looming labor dispute may dominate baseball headlines after the World Series ends.
Neither the Rays or Brewers have ever won a World Series
Juaron Watts-Brown, once the Blue Jays' top‑10 prospect, has slipped out of Baltimore’s top 30 after a rough 2026. After a promising 2025 (1‑3, 3.82 ERA, 43 Ks in 35.1 innings), the right‑hander struggled at Double‑A Chesapeake (1‑7, 5.76 ERA, 74 Ks, 25 walks) and posted a 10.22 ERA with 37 walks in 10 Triple‑A outings for the Norfolk Tides. Despite the high walk rate, his strikeout ability stays appealing, and the Orioles plan to keep him in Norfolk’s rotation next season, hoping he can adjust and revive his major‑league hopes.
The 2026 World Series kicks off tonight at 8 PM on Fox as the 103‑win Milwaukee Brewers face the 98‑win Tampa Bay Rays. Both clubs earned their spots with modest payrolls—$146.2 million for the Brewers and $95.6 million for the Rays—and feature young stars like Jacob Misiorowski, Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda. While the Orioles miss their 44th straight appearance, the blog mulls over the odds, payroll strategies, and future prospects for Baltimore in 2027, noting a few promising pitchers and a quirky birthday trivia roundup.
The Orioles finished 79-82, ranking 17th in both win‑loss record and starter ERA (4.24) as the Rays and Brewers clash in the World Series. Their rotation allowed the second‑most hits (874) and issued the fifth‑most walks (321), while posting middle‑of‑the‑pack strikeout (760) and homer (112) numbers. Trevor Rogers slumped from a 1.81 ERA in 2025 to 4.03 this year and may receive a $23.15 million qualifying offer. Kyle Bradish, after a $90 million extension, ended the season 7‑14 with a 3.93 ERA and a sports‑hernia surgery. Shane Baz, despite a 6‑15 record, posted a 4.11 ERA in 31 starts with poor run support. Young improved dramatically, going 9‑6 with a 3.24 ERA. Veteran Chris Bassitt returned post‑back surgery with a 5‑1 run, but will likely miss 2027. With only eight true starters, Baltimore is eyeing free‑agent veterans and promoting prospects like Trey Gibson and Luis De León for 2027.
The blog weighs Baltimore’s $7.5 million 2027 option on first‑baseman Ryan Mountcastle. Though he’s hit .250+ each season, his recent playing time has been limited—only eight games this year and none in the outfield since 2021—making a pricey outfield experiment risky. The author expects the Orioles to decline the option, possibly renegotiate a lower deal, and look elsewhere for left‑field help. The piece also clarifies the Rule 5 draft fallout from the lockout, noting unprotected players would simply stay in their organizations and minor‑leaguers remain unaffected. Readers get a clear view of Mountcastle’s future and the draft’s uncertainties.
Veteran right‑hander Albert Suárez proves the Orioles’ unlikely workhorse in 2026, despite being designated for assignment five times. After a breakout 2024, Suárez bounced between Baltimore and Triple‑A Norfolk, posting a 4.72 ERA over 34.1 innings with 28 strikeouts. He pitched in 28 games, often covering multiple innings in losing efforts, yet went 3‑0 personally while the team went 6‑22 when he appeared. His season capped with four scoreless innings in a 10‑2 win over the Yankees on Sept. 24. With free‑agent bullpen spots opening, Suárez could still offer value, though a potential 2027 lockout looms over his future.
Orioles prospect Ike Irish finally abandons catching for good and blossoms as a hitter. Drafted in 2025, the Grand Rapids native struggled with the yips behind the plate, making only five pro starts as a catcher before switching to the outfield, first base and DH with High‑A Frederick. In 2026 he posts a .286 average, .528 slugging, 16 homers, .388 OBP and 20 steals, earning a spot in the MLB Futures Game. A meniscus tear on July 22 ends his breakout season, but he returns to the Arizona Fall League, now hitting .353/.421/.559. Irish’s story highlights a dramatic positional shift and a surge in offensive production.
He had a solid year at Triple-A and is now Rule 5 eligible
As the World Series kicks off tomorrow, the blog reflects on the Orioles' 73‑year title drought—the longest the author has lived through at age 42. With 153 days until the next O’s game, the writer muses about rooting for teams with long droughts to finally win, noting only five clubs (Brewers, Padres, Mariners, Guardians, Pirates) have longer waits. The piece also highlights recent Orioles news: new GM Jared Banner’s aggressive approach, speculation about offseason tech upgrades, and the likely departure of pitcher Trevor Rogers. A brief birthday roundup of former O’s players and historic trivia rounds out the entry, underscoring the franchise’s ongoing quest for relevance.
Baltimore acquired right‑hander Patrick Reilly from Pittsburgh on July 30, 2024. After three Double‑A starts in 2025 he underwent Tommy John surgery, returned in June 2026, and posted a 0‑3 record with a 3.63 ERA (55 K, 11 BB in 39⅔ IP) across Double‑A and High‑A. To make up lost time the Orioles sent him to the Arizona Fall League, where he earned Pitcher of the Week and has dominated with a 1‑run, 13‑K, 2‑BB line over seven innings for Peoria. Reilly credits mound‑position tweaks and a fastball‑heavy mix (fastball, sweeper, gyro‑slider) for his success and discusses his rehab mindset. His next AFL start is Thursday.
The article addresses fan questions about the Orioles' new GM, Jarred Banner, and his likely activity before the December 1 lockout. It predicts Banner will be involved in trades and signings, but veteran VP Mike Elias will have the final say. It also explains MLB’s playoff seeding, clarifying why the top-seeded Rays faced the Yankees and why the Guardians played the White Sox. Readers get insight into the Orioles’ front‑office dynamics and the league’s postseason format.
The Padres acquired outfielder Ramón Laureano in a 2025 trade, exercised his 2026 option for $6.5 million, then placed him on the IL after a worsening hip labrum injury requiring surgery. Before the injury he posted a power surge with 24 homers and 76 RBI, but in 53 games this season he slumped to .203/.660 OPS. President of baseball operations A.J. Preller says Laureano’s rehab is on track and his text updates suggest he could be ready for a playoff run. With free‑agency churn and a potential labor lock, San Diego may offer a low‑risk, $1‑3 million “prove‑it” deal for 2027, giving him a spring‑training invite and a chance to win the left‑field spot over Samad Taylor, Dustin Harris or Jase Bowen.
There was hope coming into the 2026 season that the Orioles would see Jackson Holliday take a significant step towards stardom. The former number one overall pick had shown growth in 2025, gaining crucial experience and looking more comfortable at the plate. It seemed he was ready to jump up a level. Instead, hand and […]
More roster churn will begin as the offseason truly kicks in
Good morning Birdland, As we wait for the World Series to begin on Friday, there may be a baseball-sized hole in your evening entertainment. That reminded me that the Arizona Fall League does, in fact, exist, and there are a handful of intereting Orioles prospects in action. So, I wanted to check in on them. […]
When the Orioles’ season ends, many fans lose interest in postseason baseball and turn their full attention to the Ravens. This season might be different. Several fans I’ve talked to have temporarily adopted the Tampa Bay Rays, and are rooting for them against the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series that begins on Friday. It’s […]
In the years when games at Memorial Stadium felt like a family affair, a Baltimore police lieutenant’s daughter became everyone’s kid sister. A classic photo evokes the era. When the Orioles were at their on-field peak in the late ’60s and early ’70s, every game at Memorial Stadium felt like a family affair. The crowds […]
“Why not think about the times to come?” – Don’t Stop by Fleetwood Mac I don’t know what’s in the water, but Bryce Harper seems to be a hot topic as far as the Cubs’ future outfield is concerned, and I don’t know why. Harper has a full no-trade clause, and though his contract is …
The post The Rundown: Cubs Trade Speculation Escalates, Kwan Checks Several Boxes, Banner Heads to Orioles, Rays Win AL Pennant appeared first on .
The Orioles announced that they have signed left-hander Jayvien Sandridge to a minor league deal for the 2027 season. He was already in the Baltimore system but was eligible for minor league free agency. Sandridge, 28 in February, began 2026 on the Yankees’ roster. He was designated for assignment in January and then flipped to […]
The Arizona Fall League handed out its Week 2 awards on Monday, naming Angels shortstop prospect Arjun Nimmala as Hitter of the Week and Orioles...