As expected, the O’s aren’t in the running for the Japanese wunderkind, who reportedly has narrowed his list down to three teams.
Good morning, Camden Chatters.
The Orioles’ already slim list of options for a starting pitching upgrade is about to get even slimmer. Star Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki, one of the most heavily sought after free agents this offseason, reportedly is deciding between his final three teams, and the Orioles aren’t one of them.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that Sasaki has whittled his options to the Dodgers, the Padres, and the Blue Jays. Sasaki’s camp contacted a slew of teams yesterday — including the Yankees, Cubs, Giants, and Rangers — to inform them they were no longer in the running. There’s been no report of whether the Orioles were one of the teams Sasaki specifically turned down, or if the O’s were ever a serious suitor in the first place. Either way, they aren’t now.
It probably was never realistic to think that Sasaki would sign with the Orioles, but I certainly hope the O’s at least gave it the old college try. It’s not every day that a player with his combination of talent, pedigree, and potential comes along. A 23-year-old who throws 100 mph with a stupendous sinker and is already an ace in the NPB? And who, unlike domestic free agents who require nine-figure contracts, will cost less than $10 million in international bonus money? Yeah, safe to say that’s an intriguing pitcher to pursue.
Sasaki would have been an absolutely perfect fit for the Orioles. In fairness, though, he would be an absolutely perfect fit for almost any team, hence the intense competition for his services. Sasaki has his pick of the litter and the Orioles aren’t at the top. As long as that was his decision — and not some failure by the O’s to even make an offer — then so be it.
Of those three finalists, let’s hope Sasaki ends up with one of the NL West teams and not the Blue Jays. I’d prefer the Padres, because I’m kind of tired of the Dodgers just signing every single player, but the important thing is that he stay away from the Orioles’ division rival. The Blue Jays have hardly done anything this offseason and I’d prefer that didn’t change now.
Links
Orioles announce Birdland Caravan events. See which players are attending. – The Baltimore Banner
This year’s Birdland Caravan will be more star-studded than last year, with Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman attending multiple events, including a karaoke happy hour. What do you suppose are Gunnar and Adley’s go-to karaoke songs? Wrong answers only.
Could Orioles consider a six-man rotation? – School of Roch
At this point I’m just worried about the Orioles having five decent enough starters for a rotation, let alone six.
Never too soon to look at O’s batting orders and lineups – Steve Melewski
Melewski devises a mock Orioles lineup for Opening Day in Toronto. I wouldn’t have Tyler O’Neill batting cleanup against a right-hander, but other than that, it looks about right. What say you, Camden Chatters?
Police: Ex-Oriole Brian Matusz likely died of drug overdose – The Baltimore Sun
A sad story just keeps getting sadder. Our thoughts are with the Matusz family.
Orioles birthdays and history
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Two ex-Orioles were born on this day: left-hander Danny Boone (71) and infielder Wayne Gross (73).
The O’s have made a lot of notable moves on this day in history. In 1963, they traded a four-player package — including Hall of Fame righty Hoyt Wilhelm and former AL Rookie of the Year Ron Hansen — to acquire Hall of Fame shortstop Luis Aparicio from the White Sox. Aparicio played a half-decade with the O’s and was a key piece of their first championship team in 1966, winning two Gold Gloves with the Birds and twice leading the league in stolen bases.
On this date in 1993, the O’s again acquired a Hall of Famer, trading for designated hitter Harold Baines from the Athletics. The sweet-swinging Maryland native spent seven of his next eight years with the Orioles and hit .301 with an .881 OPS and 107 homers. He was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame in 2009.
In 2004, the Orioles brought Rafael Palmeiro back to Baltimore after a five-year hiatus, signing him to a one-year deal. Palmeiro had starred for the O’s from 1994-98 but his second stint with the Birds went awry when he was suspended in 2005 for use of the banned substance stanozolol, ending his career in scandal.
And on this day in 2014, the O’s signed embattled former #1 pick Delmon Young to a minor league deal. Orioles fans probably weren’t expecting much from the outfielder, who’d had a mostly disappointing career as well as off-the-field issues, but little did they know he’d become the stuff of legends. I’ll just leave this here: