Bradish injury means O’s may need even more pitching
THE ORIOLES are looking at the starter market with young star Kyle Bradish shelved to start the year with a UCL injury (which has been known about for weeks but just came to public light now) and John Means a month behind schedule.
They’ve already acquired ace Corbin Burnes since David Rubenstein agreed to buy/rescue the team. There’s no likelihood they would spend for Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery and no serious talks now for Dylan
Cease (the players they offered for Cease were dealt for Burnes).
Michael Lorenzen and HyunJin Ryu would fit nicely. Mike Clevinger, Rich Hill and Eric Lauer are among other starters who should get an MLB deal.
The Padres, Twins and Pirates are also eying starters. Ryu remains a San Diego candidate.
The Yankees are talking about starters but aren’t desperate enough to overpay (i.e. trade topprospect Spencer Jones).
The Pirates have talked to the Marlins about a trade for Edward Cabrera, and in addition to the aforementioned starters, have also been in on Noah Syndergaard, as Robert Murray of FanSided reported.
➤ The Angels have been mulling whether to make a run at bigtime free agents Snell, Montgomery or Cody Bellinger. But they are also looking at depth pieces and are said to be considering former Met Amed Rosario, Kiké Hernandez, and a solid back-end starter like Lorenzen, an Orange County and Cal-State Fullerton product who may like the idea of going home.
➤ J.D. Martinez could be a fit for the Angels, too. The Mets feel like a long shot and will probably go with Mark Vientos at DH or use the spot to provide semi-rests for stars.
➤ Gary Sanchez agreed to a $7 million deal with the Brewers, but Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel noted that Sanchez still isn’t in camp, suggesting there may be a hiccup.
The Brewers are unpredictable, but for now they are not shopping star closer Devin Williams or shortstop Willy Adames, who are both free agents after the year.
➤ As of Thursday, 112 players who have played in an MLB game were still free agents. As one agent put it, “When is the dam going to break?”