O’Neill catches fire, Domínguez is dealt, and the O’s add an interesting arm.
Good morning Birdland,
Tuesday was a busy one for the Orioles! They walloped the Blue Jays 16-4 in the first game of a doubleheader, then they dealt Seranthony Domínguez to the Jays for an interesting pitching prospect in between games, and they wrapped up the day with solid 3-2 victory in the night cap.
The Orioles are playing some good baseball lately. Those two wins yesterday makes it five in a row. The teams is now 50-58 on the season, seven games back of the final wild card spot in the American League.
That last bit is fairly unimportant. The Orioles, particularly the front office, are not worried about a playoff spot in 2025. They are making that clear by disassembling their bullpen. The trade of Domínguez was their third reliever dealt this month, and there could be more movement on the horizon.
It’s not too surprising to see the team play well even with these trades happening. While relievers are important, particularly in close games, the Orioles weren’t built to overly rely on their pitching staff. It’s a team that wants to mash its way to victory most days. That just hasn’t happened much in 2025.
Injuries have been part of the reason why. Gunnar Henderson missed the very beginning of the season. By the time he was back, Colton Cowser was out for a while. Jordan Westburg had a lengthy IL stint. Tyler O’Neill, who was supposed to be the big free agent addition, has dealt with several issues. And the team just got Adley Rutschman back from a month-long absence.
This recent run has shown what the potential of the roster is. And luckily for us, the core of that roster shouldn’t change much this season. The “stars” are going to stay put. The relievers will be replaced internally. And while losing some of the starting pitching will likely hurt, the team is nearing a return of Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells, which could be a huge boost.
I’m not saying the Orioles are about the shock the world and go on a magical run. But I am saying that they have all of the tools at their disposal to play some really good baseball these next two months. They might even ruin some seasons. Playing the Yankees seven times from September 18 through the end of the month looks mighty interesting right now.
Links
O’Neill on hot and healthy stretch, O’Hearn on possible trade | Roch Kubatko
It would be great if O’Neill was not a dud for the Orioles. He is signed through 2027, since he seems unlikely to opt out after this rough season. The Orioles could use his thump in the lineup. He has been very good since his most recent IL stay.
Former Shorebirds manager, Orioles player Ryan Minor to be honored with golf tournament | Delmarva Now
The tournament will be held in Bishopville this October. It’s a nice gesture for a person who meant a lot to the Orioles organization.
Seranthony Domínguez describes being traded from Orioles to Blue Jays during doubleheader | The Baltimore Banner
It’s not often that a player simply changes dugouts when traded, but it happened yesterday for Domínguez. Hopefully he has some individual success. He was a fine player for the Orioles over the last year, and had some very nice things to say about his teammates and the organization as he was dealt.
Trade analysis: Orioles fare well in adding Juaron Watts-Brown for Seranthony Domínguez | The Athletic
Keith Law likes the trade for the Orioles! He describes Watts-Brown as “a potential starter, definitely some kind of big leaguer.” That sounds like modest praise, but trading for prospects is often a crapshoot. GMs try to limit risk while also striving for a big ceiling, but that is a tall task. Even if Watts-Brown only ends up as a middle reliever, it’s good to get six years of one middle reliever in exchange for two months of another.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
- Cody Poteet turns 31 today. The righty appeared in one game for the Orioles this season, but has been on the IL since April with shoulder inflammation.
- The late Pat Kelly (b. 1944, d. 2005) was born on this day. From 1977 through ‘80, he patrolled the Orioles outfield, compiling 3.7 bWAR and a 117 OPS+
- A posthumous birthday for Gus Triandos (b. 1930, d. 2013). The catcher spent eight years with the Orioles, from 1955 through ‘62. In that time he made three All-Star teams and even got a street named after him (Triandos Drive in Timonium). He was given a spot in the Orioles Hall of Fame in 1981.
- The late Joe Coleman (b. 1922, d. 1997) was born on this day. He tossed 233 innings for the Orioles between 1954 and ‘55.
This day in O’s history
1954 – Orioles third baseman Bob Kennedy hits a grand slam, the first for the recently-relocated franchise. The Orioles also surpass the highest season attendance that the St. Louis Browns had ever drawn, which came back in 1922.
1955 – The Orioles and Yankees make a trade. Ed Lopat goes to Baltimore, Jim McDonald heads to New York.
2009 – The Orioles trade closer George Sherrill to the Dodgers for a pair of minor leaguers, Steve Johnson and Josh Bell.
2024 – The Orioles buy at the deadline, adding starter Trevor Rogers, reliever Gregory Soto, and “slugger” Eloy Jiménez all on the same day.