Even though the team has had a good start to the season, their pitching lineup, especially the bullpen, needs some improvement. Baltimore Orioles‘ pitching rotation could use some fine tuning, particularly the bullpen.
Do they look to the trade market?
Senior MLB writer Jim Bowden argued they should, proposing a trade with the Cleveland Guardians in a May 6 column for The Athletic.
In exchange for the team’s number four prospect, Heston Kjerstad, he has the Orioles receiving a pair of relievers: Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis.
He cited an overcrowded Baltimore outfield, and a less abundant Guardians’ outfield as reasons for a deal to be struck.
“The Guardians need to upgrade right field for the short- and long-term,” Bowden wrote. “And acquiring Kjerstad, the second overall pick in the 2020 draft, would accomplish both aims…In this trade, the Orioles would acquire two solid, controllable relievers to help fortify their bullpen.”
Combined, both Cleveland relievers have pitched a 2.70 ERA in 16.2 innings this season. But where Gaddis has recorded just 18 strikeouts, Smith has 24.
The Orioles’ starting rotation has picked things up with the returns of Kyle Bradish and John Means. Grayson Rodriguez and Tyler Wells aren’t far behind them.
But 2023 closer Felix Bautista doesn’t have a timeline for a return, and his 2024 successor Craig Kimbrel has struggled as of late.
Baltimore’s bullpen could use a tune up. And it’s been a slow start for Kjerstad in his 2nd stint in the majors.
Kjerstad Missing from Orioles’ Lineups
Since being called up on April 23, Heston Kjerstad has seen only 10 at-bats for the Orioles.
He’s batting .200/.385/.200 at the plate with just 2 hits and 5 strikeouts. Kjerstad’s started only 5 of 13 possible games.
Team manager Brandon Hyde explained the lack of playing time for the team’s number four prospect pregame on April 30.
“It’s just kind of the way it’s gone, honestly,” Hyde told MASN. “Kind of how our outfield mix is right now. Looking to try to get him in there soon. Heston’s been ready to pinch-hit or been on deck a few times here a couple of the games, late in the game. Love the power potential that he has. He can change the game with one swing, he can help us out off the bench on the days he’s not playing. But I’ve got a pretty good club right now, and so I’m trying to mix him in when I can.”
Kjerstad departed Baltimore’s Triple-A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides, as the minor-league home run leader.
He slashed .349/.431.744 with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs in 86 at-bats over 21 games with the Tides. He’ll focus on being a similarly consistent player now back in the pros.
Once he gets the chance. If he doesn’t, he’ll continue to be the center of Baltimore trade talk.
Craig Kimbrel’s start to the season with Baltimore, couldn’t have been scripted any better.
The 35-year-old closer allowed 2 home runs in his first 11 games, still earning 7 saves and climbing the MLB all-time leaderboard.
But in an April 26 game against the Oakland Athletics, Kimbrel threw his team (and himself) out of it.
He left the game in the ninth inning with what was deemed upper back tightness by Brandon Hyde. It was a second consecutive blown save.
Some days later, he was removed from a victory against the Reds on May 4th after allowing an RBI double in a game where the Orioles were otherwise not allowing any runs.
His record of successfully saving games is 8 out of 12, which is a 66 percent success rate.
During an interview with MASN on May 5th, Baltimore pitching coach Drew French discussed Kimbrel’s difficulties and future prospects.
He did not let the Orioles' main closer take all the blame for his recent decline in performance.
“Much of it is related to execution. When it comes to pitchers and how they throw the ball, a lot of times it's a gradual problem that isn't noticed until after a few games, French said to MASN. “As a staff, it's really important for us to identify these issues and provide the necessary information to the player at the right time. It's a two-way process and conversation. In the end, it's about getting him back to being an effective Craig Kimbrel.”
Craig Kimbrel is not the determining factor for whether the Orioles will make another significant addition to the pitching staff. At 35 years old and on a one-year contract, he can't be.
However, his improvement or lack thereof in the future could push Baltimore in that direction. Additionally, there are two skilled relievers in Cleveland who could soon be in high demand.
