The Orioles are recycling roster moves
The Orioles made some surprising roster moves yesterday. They designated Ryan O'Hearn for assignment just two days after they'd acquired him from the Royals. To replace him, they reclaimed first baseman Lewin Díaz, whom they claimed from Pirates and then traded to the Braves on December 23.
Mike Elias has claimed Hanser Alberto from the Yankees, lost him on waivers to the Giants in February, and then reclaimed him in March. Elias did the same with Pat Valaika, who was claimed from Rockies in October 2019, then lost on the waivers in January 2020, but was reclaimed later that month. Alberto and Val aika had first-year success for the Orioles, while Alberto batted .305 in his inaugural season with the Birds, whereas Val was a .791 OPS in 52 games. The O's were rebuilding at the time and are now poised to compete with a few key moves.
Roch Kubatko predicts Jackson Holliday will be a superstar for the Orioles in 2023.
The Orioles are recycling roster moves. They are not paying for significant free agents. The O's are also not locking in their own stars.
It's Kevin Gausman's 32nd birthday today. He was drafted by the Orioles in 2012. The Orioles traded him to the Blue Jays in 2018. On January 6, 2017, the O's traded Yovani Gallardo to Seattle for Seth Smith.
