The Orioles cleared space on their 40-man roster by outrighting four pitchers — right-handers Ryan Eades, Luis Ortiz and Tayler Scott and left-hander Josh Rogers to Triple-A Norfolk.
They also claimed infielder Pat Valaika on waivers from Colorado.
Eades, who was claimed on waivers from Minnesota on August 14, was 0-1 with a 3.52 ERA in six games.
Ortiz came from Milwaukee along with Jonathan Villar in the Jonathan Schoop deal on July 31, 2018. A former first-round draft choice of the Texas Rangers in 2014, Ortiz allowed four runs in 3 1/3 innings in his only appearance against Boston on June 14. He spent much of the season on Norfolk’s injured list.
Scott, the first South African to pitch in the majors, was claimed on waivers from Seattle on June 25. He had an 18.69 ERA in eight games and allowed 18 runs on 20 hits in 8 2/3 innings.
Rogers underwent Tommy John surgery in July and was on the 60-day injured list. He was 0-1 with an 8.79 ERA in five games for the Orioles.
The Orioles need room on the 40-man to add prospects such as Ryan Mountcastle and must transfer Alex Cobb, who had hip and knee surgery from the 60-day IL.
Mark Trumbo, who becomes a free agent after the World Series, will give the team another roster spot.
Valaika, who plays all four infield positions and left field, has hit .214 in the last four seasons with Colorado. A right-handed hitter, the 27-year-old Valaika hit .258 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs in 2017. In 2019, Valaika hit .190 in 40 games.
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Not at all shocked to see any of those names go. I figured Hess would make it through given he’s optionable. Mildly surprised they didn’t DFA an out of options guy like Ynoa. But I suppose there’s probably still some significant turnover to come this offseason.
Not exa
Posted too quickly. What I was trying to say was not really sure how the waiver wire works , but I think a team can only put so many on during a waiver period. Guessing that 4 might be the limit. So expect in the next week or so 4 more players taken off the 40 to make room for Mountcastle and company. Guess would be Hess, Armstrong, and Ynoa. Might even try to sneak Wynns and Williams through. Expect a busy offseason. Not an exciting one, but busy
If you follow me on Twitter, John, you'll see that the Orioles did outright Williams to Norfolk, but haven't announced it.
Saw that this morning. Guessing the reason they didn’t announce it is that Williams can turn it down and become a free agent. Not sure about the other 4. Maybe the Orioles will try to re-sign Williams
I think Armstrong stays. I can’t imagine we dump him before spring training. He was one of our most trusted relievers last year. My guess is that Ynoa and Hanhold are on the bottom right now and next to go. I saw Mason Williams go and that wasn’t at all surprising. If we do intend to keep Valaika that could impact a guy like Wilkerson. Though it’s entirely possible we just try to sneak Valaika through.
If we DFA Wynns we’ll need another Catcher on our 40 man. Not sure that will happen with really only Brett Cumberland as an option. But I guess if a catcher we like more pops up on waivers it’s a possibility.
If you DFA Wynns, you can always try to sign him on a minor league deal and keep him in the organization. Not a lot of teams are going to give a 40 man roster spot to a 29 year old career minor leaguer. If he signs elsewhere they can find another catcher on the waiver wire. Hopefully just keeping the position warm until Rutschman is ready
Sure. He’s certainly on the roster bubble. He does have another option season. And familiarity with the coaching staff/pitchers, which gives him some usefulness. But you are probably correct here. I don’t see it being extremely likely he is claimed.
As we’ve seen the orioles aren’t exactly cutting any players that other teams are putting in claims for. Certainly more talent getting purged from other 40 man rosters.
Oh Boy, the O's favorite farm club, the Waiver Wire, will be able to get into high gear quickly. Look, they just picked off another future American League All Star, Valaika. That W W really has helped the O's in the last two seasons, only lost 223 games. I also must include the wonderful "Rule 5", the other main farm team. Sorry guys, for the negativity but I don't believe "Rebuild" begins with "Stagnation". It seems to me, in order to start a rebuild, a team has to sign one or two "legitimate" major league ballplayers and not on a one year deal.
Norm, Free agency isn’t even open. I don’t expect much from us there but this is a little premature to complain. The only thing going on right now is waiver claims and guys being purged off 40 man rosters. This is standard operating procedure for any club. The orioles have found some talent this way very recently also. Severino and Alberto just last offseason. You’re probably not going to find a star but if they find a useful piece then that’s great.
These moves are ..........underwhelming. But thanks for keeping us informed, Rich.
THE Pat Valaika ?
Yes, TM pending.