Good morning, Camden Chatters.
The clock is running down on 2025, but not before we wish happy birthday to the Orioles’ president of baseball operations, Mike Elias, who turns 44 today.
Elias has already given himself some early birthday presents this winter with the acquisitions of Pete Alonso, Shane Baz, Taylor Ward, Ryan Helsley, and more. And if he’s looking for a way to celebrate today, I can’t think of a better way than to sign Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez, or Tatsuya Imai.
If not today, will
Elias strike for another major move before the calendar turns to 2026 later this week? The holiday-season lull should be starting to dissipate, so maybe we’ll begin to see a little more action on the MLB hot stove. Here’s your daily reminder that Imai’s posting period ends this Friday, Jan. 2, so at least one of the remaining high-profile starters will be signing somewhere this week. There have been no reports of whether the Orioles have even talked with Imai, let alone whether they’re a serious bidder, but the O’s front office tends to keep things close to the vest. If Imai doesn’t end up with the Orioles, at least his signing should set a baseline for the kind of contract that Valdez or Suárez should expect, and the O’s can act accordingly.
Of course, maybe the Orioles won’t end up with any of that trio. Elias might have a different plan entirely for upgrading the starting rotation. Baz, for instance, wasn’t on anyone’s radar until the moment the O’s acquired him, so maybe the O’s are discussing another trade for a starting pitcher that nobody will see coming. If so, I’d prefer it be someone a bit more established than Baz, but that’s not up to me.
In any case, I’ve been pretty impressed with what Elias has accomplished already this offseason, and I’m not just saying that because it’s birthday. Soon we’ll find out what other tricks are up his sleeve.
Links
Circling back to some Orioles questions – School of Roch
Among Roch Kubatko’s notes is that the Orioles have brought back Thomas Eshelman. Don’t worry, it’s only as a coach. The O’s aren’t that desperate for starting pitching.
One big comparison: Pete Alonso and Frank Robinson – Steve Melewski
I get what David Rubenstein was going for when he compared the Pete Alonso signing to Frank Robinson, but he might have set up some unrealistic expectations. If Alonso does anything less than win a Triple Crown and lead the Orioles to a championship, fans will think he’s a bum.
Cubs Sign Hunter Harvey – MLB Trade Rumors
The Cubs are building a bullpen of former Orioles with Harvey joining the recently signed Jacob Webb. Best of luck to Harvey, the former O’s first round pick whose career has been torpedoed by injuries.
Orioles birthdays and history
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Five former Orioles players have Dec. 28 birthdays, including one member of the 2025 Birds, reliever Corbin Martin (30). Martin posted a 6.00 ERA in 17 games but did notch a couple of big saves. He’s currently a free agent. Other ex-O’s born on this day include infielder Bill Hall (46), lefty B.J. Ryan (50), third baseman Ray Knight (73), and the late infielder Aurelio Rodríguez (b. 1947, d. 2000).
On this date in 2005, the Orioles reportedly reached agreement with free agent outfielder Jeromy Burnitz on a two-year, $12 million contract, only for the deal to later fall apart. The O’s accused Burnitz and his agent of backing out of the deal, while Burnitz’s agent, Howard Simon, said the “intimidating language” of the Orioles’ physical caused the deal to fall apart. Burnitz later signed a one-year deal with the Pirates. The O’s caught a break by the deal falling apart, as Burnitz lasted just one mediocre season with Pittsburgh before retiring.
