Orioles have many holes to fill for 2027

The Orioles’ trade with the Boston Red Sox was completed on Wednesday, and it’s one that’s likely to be debated for years. In return for three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman and another catcher, Jake Rogers, who’s already been designated for assignment, the Orioles received catcher Carlos Navárez, right-handed starters Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, and outfielders Enddy Azocar and Harold Rivas.

Rivas was added to the trade on Wednesday.

Rutschman has settled in with the Red Sox and been activated from the 10-day injured list, his third time on the IL this season. Navárez has temporarily assumed the role of primary catcher.

Eyanson is at Double-A Chesapeake, Witherspoon and Azocar at High-A Frederick while Rivas hasn’t played above the Florida Complex League.

That means while Boston gets Rutschman for this season and next, the Orioles aren’t likely to get huge returns from the deal until at least 2028.

Narváez will be the backup catcher to Samuel Basallo once he returns from the injured list, which will be later this month.

So far, Narváez is just 3-for-23 (.130) without an extra-base hit or RBI.

The four prospects were added to the Orioles’ top 30 list by MLB.com. Eyanson is No. 1, Witherspoon, seventh, Azocar eighth while Rivas was quickly inserted at No. 26.

It’s conceivable that Eyanson could help the Orioles in 2027, but the others probably won’t arrive at Camden Yards until 2028 or later.

During last week’s trade deadline, which was only 10 days ago, but feels much longer, the Orioles subtracted Rutschman, outfielder Taylor Ward and reliever Tyler Wells.

Ward fetched three right-handed pitchers, including Alex Hoppe, who’s already with the Orioles. For Wells, the Orioles reacquired right-hander Michael Forret, who’s at Triple-A Norfolk, and ranked No. 6.

Forret was once an Orioles prospect, but he and three others were sent to Tampa Bay for Shane Baz last December.

The Orioles have amassed a large number of promising arms, some of whom they acquired in trades and others developed on their own.

What they don’t have are position players ready for the major leagues, leaving 2027 a mystery.

Because of the impending labor issue, we don’t know what kind of an effect there’ll be on next season, but the Orioles are going to need better outfielders if they want to contend.

Christian Franklin was obtained from the Washington Nationals, and he’s 2-for-14 (.143) in his first major league trial.

The Orioles do have Heston Kjerstad, who’s eagerly awaiting his return to the majors at Triple-A Norfolk. They also have Enrique Bradfield Jr., the Orioles’ top draft pick in 2023, and Reed Trimble,

Both Bradfield, who’s not yet on the 40-man roster, and Trimble, who is, have a history of injuries as well as great speed. Trimble has never been thrown out in 64 stolen base attempts. Entering Wednesday’s game, Bradfield was 22-for-26 with the Tides.

Colton Cowser, who’s hitting just .211, has lost playing time while the Orioles audition Franklin. Tyler O’Neill, who’s also been playing more regularly, is healthy but hitting only .216.

Dylan Beavers, who hit his first home run since April 24^th on Wednesday, is hitting .just 239.

It’s possible that Beavers, Cowser and O’Neill will all be part of the 2027 Orioles. O’Neill still has the final year of his three-year, $49.5 million remaining.

The Orioles need to add some punch to the outfield, and perhaps some of those promising young arms will be sent elsewhere in return for outfielders.

This offseason promises to be a disconcerting one for shortstop Gunnar Henderson unless he goes on a tear in the final six weeks of the season. Jackson Holliday had a nice July, and his defense at second has improved markedly.

Blaze Alexander should be back around September 1^st, and Jordan Westburg has predicted he’ll be ready to go after his Tommy John surgery rehab whenever spring training begins.

Pete Alonso, who’s hitting .259 with an .833 OPS, 26 home runs and 77 RBIs, has delivered a good return, though his RBI total would be higher if Henderson had gotten on base more.

There are still 41 games and just over six weeks remaining in this disappointing season, and the chances of the Orioles qualifying for the final wild-card spot look dim.

After losing four of six to Texas and Minnesota on the first two legs of this road trip, the Orioles have a brutal 10-day stretch following Thursday’s offday.

They play four games at Tampa Bay, then host the Yankees and Rays for six games. Unless they somehow manage to win six or seven of those 10 games, their season might be over with just over 30 games remaining.

Then, president of baseball operations Mike Elias will have to look to next year and somehow manufacture a team that contend in 2027.

The Oriole fanbase embraced Elias’ rebuild, which produced a 101-win AL East winner in 2023 and a wild-card team in 2024 before regressing.

Orioles fans will want to see something tangible next year, and how Elias constructs that team will be fascinating to watch. 

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com