Calling the Pen: Thoughts on what Orioles should do at trade deadline

Two weeks ago, my wife, Barb, and I said goodbye to our son, Brent, his wife, Shaaretha, and their two children, Kugan and Anjali. They were leaving for the United Kingdom, where they’ll embrace new opportunity and new adventures. We wanted to embrace them for as long as possible, but it was time to let them go while holding tight to our emotions.

On Sunday, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said something that resonated with me in discussing the departure of his best pitcher, two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal to the two-time defending world champion Dodgers.

“Baseball has a funny way of challenging you to deal with change. Sometimes that’s difficult, sometimes it’s part of the game and part of the business. These guys are callous to some of the emotions that come with it.”

Skubal wasn’t callous but choked back tears that reflected his gratitude to the Tigers, even though he’s going to the best team money can buy. Baseball is big business but the players are human, even if we lose sight of that when they fail, or when they’re sent to another city. Starting pitcher Dean Kremer was traded to Minnesota on Friday night and slipped out the door without comment.

“I was sitting on my couch last night, and it popped up on my phone,” said pitcher Trevor Rogers, whose name has been mentioned in trade talks. “I really couldn’t believe it. He’s been a staple here for a lot of years. It was tough to see him go.

“He went to the Twins. They’re making a push. We’re making a push here, too. We all wish that he wasn’t the guy to get shipped out of here, stay with us, but I think he’s going to do great over there. They’ve got a solid guy, a solid pitcher. He’s going to be missed here, for sure.”

Our hearts ached when we left BWI that Sunday night, but I lack the same kind of sensitivity when it comes to the trade deadline. I don’t know any of the Orioles, or their families, so there’s a detachment that can seem cold.

There’s also a bias as an observer and one who wants to see the Orioles make a two-month push for a wild-card berth.

I wouldn’t hold on to Taylor Ward, who wasn’t acquired to walk, and I’m not strong on Leody Taveras. My regular outfield would be Dylan Beavers in left, Colton Cowser in center and Tyler O’Neill in right. I’d also play Jeremiah Jackson in the outfield, and I’d consider bringing up Enrique Bradfield Jr. as a defensive replacement.

My regular infield would be Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday and Pete Alonso, while looking for every opportunity to get Coby Mayo at-bats. Blaze Alexander can continue his role as a super utility player when he heals.

Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo give the Orioles two strong starting catchers, but both have had health issues this year, and Rutschman has had them for two straight seasons. I remember the night that he arrived, marking the arrival of the team’s turnaround. But that time has passed, and if president of baseball operations Mike Elias can find the right value, I wouldn’t be opposed to trading Rutschman, who will eligible for free agency after the 2027 season.

The Orioles could use another quality starting pitcher, and I’d be inclined to give Rogers an extension rather than trade him. The bullpen also needs strong reinforcements. The Orioles’ defense needs to be addressed, and a healthy Jordan Westburg would’ve helped, but for now they just need to play better and smarter, similar to what they did on Friday night when they beat the Phillies, 6-4, and got a hopeful sign that Henderson’s final two months will be better than the first four.

It’s not difficult to throw around names and thoughts about what the Orioles should do. Their decisions will only affect me as a passionate observer. It won’t be like watching family leave for England, or bracing for a call that may or may not come.

“It never gets easy,” Rogers said. “It makes it easier when guys are coming in instead of guys going out, a lot of uncertainty. When Monday comes and goes, everyone can kind of relax a little bit and get back to doing our jobs.”