If Orioles signed Valdez or Suárez, what would rotation look like? | MAILBAG

Question: If the Orioles land another starting pitcher, do you think he would slot ahead or behind Shane Baz? I think they still need a true No. 1 or No. 2 like Framber Valdez or Ranger Suárez. From: Calvin Barnhart on Facebook

Answer: Calvin, if the Orioles landed either Framber Valdez or Ranger Suárez, I would guess they’d be ahead of Baz and since they’re probably both left-handers, I would try to keep them away from Trevor Rogers, who’s also left-handed. Perhaps you’d have Valdez or Suárez, then Kyle Bradish followed by Rogers, Baz and Dean Kremer. That’s a representative rotation.

Question: I’ve always thought that teams were not allowed to trade their draft pick in Major League Baseball? How is it the O’s were able to include one in the Baz trade? From: Ken Holsopple

Answer: Ken, the Orioles traded their Competitive Balance Pick, which are the only ones allowed to be traded. They received one from Tampa Bay in the trade for Bryan Baker last year and used it on Slater de Brun, who was included in the trade. The pick the Orioles sent to the Rays may not be traded

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.