BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: General Manager Mike Elias of the Baltimore Orioles watches batting practice before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 21, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Orioles Trade Proposal Swaps No. 3 Prospect for AL Strikeout Leader
From the starters to the bullpen, pitching has been a roller coaster for the Baltimore Orioles. They’re expected to target help at the MLB’s trade deadline.
One option that could present itself is Chicago White Sox starter Garrett Crochet. Zachary D. Rymer listed Baltimore as a top land spot in a June 12 column for Bleacher Report.
He put together a trade proposal between the two teams, a player-for-player swap including Double-A catcher Samuel Basallo.
Orioles receive: Crochet
White Sox receive: Basallo
Basallo is the team’s number three prospect, and ranked 13th in all of MLB. He’s batting .291/.339/.476 with 10 home runs and 32 RBIs.
Rymer thinks that in order for Baltimore to lap the New York Yankees in the AL East standings, they’ll need to add another top starter.
“With their offense already stacked, it’s pitching they need to close the gap between them and the Yankees,” Rymer wrote. “And with Burnes set for free agency this winter, the Orioles could look at Crochet as a sort of preemptive replacement.”
Crochet is Chicago’s number two starter in the rotation. He’s pitched 103 strikeouts in 75.2 innings, the most in the AL.
White Sox Prepping for ‘Fire Sale’
Chicago is preparing a fire sale of their 17-50 roster, according to numerous reports.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic wrote as much in a June 11 column.
“The White Sox have no untouchables on their major-league roster,” Bowden wrote. “They’re going to have a fire sale and aim to add as many good prospects as they can and make as many trades as possible.”
Enter the Orioles, who are 44-22 and 2.5 games back of the Yankees.
Baltimore is seeking upgrades, but Bowden writes that they won’t put their top-four or five prospects in the middle of any deal.
“The Orioles are focused on improving their bullpen,” Bowden wrote. “But plan on doing it without giving up any of their top four or five prospects.”
That would rule out Basallo, but not necessarily the Orioles. It can’t go unmentioned that he plays the same position as franchise cornerstone Adley Rutschman.
“The sheer prospect depth the Orioles have is the other reason they’re worth considering for Crochet,” Rymer added. “And this one-for-one deal would see them give up a guy who’s blocked by Adley Rutschman anyway.”
Although there’s reason to doubt they’d target a starting pitcher.
Does Baltimore Need Another Starter?
Even with the losses of John Means and Tyler Wells, Baltimore’s pitching staff has been among the best in MLB.
They rank 3rd in ERA with a 3.10 collectively, 2nd in home runs allowed with 55, and 9th in quality starts with 28.
