What was the worst trade in Orioles’ history? / MAILBAG

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.

Question: Have the Orioles had a worse trade than the January 1991 one with Houston for Glenn Davis? From: Jason Gross

Answer: Jason, on January 10^th, 1991, the Orioles traded pitchers Pete Harnisch and Curt Schilling and outfielder Steve Finley to the Houston Astros for first baseman Glenn Davis.

Davis had an excellent power record with the Astros before the trade and had a rough three seasons with the Orioles. In his final one, 1993, he hit just .177 with a homer and seven RBIs in 30 games.

Schilling won one game for the Orioles and won 215 more for Houston, Philadelphia, Arizona and Boston, winning three World Series.

Harnisch’s career lasted 10 more years after he left the Orioles, and he was a solid starter with the Astros, Mets and Reds.

Finley had an excellent career with 2,548 hits and 304 home runs with eight teams, seven post-Orioles.

I don’t think any other trade the Orioles have made was worse.

Question: Does it make any sense to have James McCann pitch when he could hurt his arm? From: Robert Austin

Answer: Robert, I think McCann was throwing so slowly when he pitched the eighth inning in Oakland on Saturday that he wasn’t in danger of hurting his arm. I think he’d be in more danger of injuring his arm throwing to the bases on steal attempts.

Note: Randy Baxter wrote in and reminded me that José Canseco needed Tommy John surgery after pitching in 1993.