ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 15: Jordan Westburg #11 of the Baltimore Orioles speaks during the 2024 American League Media Availability at Globe Life Field on Monday, July 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jessica Tobias/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Mike Elias must deviate from usual trade deadline approach to save Orioles in second half.
The Baltimore Orioles lost two out of three to the New York Yankees over the weekend, but they closed out the first half with a come-from-behind 6-5 win on Sunday. The team rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth to walk off the Bronx Bombers. With the win, the O’s remained in first place in the American League East.
Now, the second half of the season beckons, and we are now two weeks away from the trade deadline. The Orioles are going to need to make a few moves if they want to stay at the top of the AL East. The team is solid on paper, but a few more additions certainly wouldn’t hurt.
General Manager Mike Elias should be prepared to take a different approach at the deadline than in years past. Last season, he stated that the Orioles had the flexibility to increase the payroll with certain trades, but didn’t make any significant moves. This year, he seems open to taking a new approach.
“They’re prepared to support our pursuits in that area,” Elias said.
Orioles GM sounds prepared to take a new approach at deadline
This is certainly going to be encouraging for Orioles fans to hear. Keep in mind that under former owner John Angelos, the team was somewhat limited in what they could do financially. But under new ownership, the team has the flexibility to do more and may look to increase their payroll.
The biggest needs for the Orioles are in their starting rotation and their bullpen. Craig Kimbrel has served as the closer, but they may need some reinforcements and extra options to set him up for the ninth inning. Three of their starters, Tyler Wells, Kyle Bradish, and John Means are all out for the season recovering from Tommy John surgery, so they could use an arm or two in the rotation.
But it does seem that Elias is prepared to take a new approach, and that should be encouraging for Orioles fans. The team has clearly evolved from where they were under Angelos, and Elias seems to have the full support of the new ownership group.
It will be interesting to see how the Orioles approach the deadline and if they could potentially make some bigger moves that could put them over the top in the AL East and give them a chance to bury the Yankees.
