Changes of Scenery

Well, it’s finally happened. With today’s trade, the Orioles addressed some high-profile priorities. The question that remains is whether the deal will pan out. It’s a gamble for both clubs – the Cubs are taking on two players with great potential, but little in the way of success. The Orioles are getting a pitcher who may be good enough to stick in an AL East rotation, but may also further compound their staff’s problem with mediocrity. Fans always assume they can get premium talent for their team’s cast-offs, so let’s take a dispassionate look at each component of this trade:

Jake Arrieta

It was pretty clear coming into this season that 2013 was Arrieta’s last chance to prove himself as a starter for the Orioles. Most of us thought that the next step would be to follow fellow failed starters (Brian Matusz, Tommy Hunter) to the bullpen. This made sense because his stuff plays out in the majors, and when not required to get through the lineup multiple times, he’s shown effectiveness. Once the Orioles sent him back to AAA as a starter, his “change of scenery” was all but assured.

Jake Arrieta is frustrating because the talent seems to be there, but he has struggled to control his emotions. It would not be a great surprise to see an early-30s renaissance from Arrieta. The Orioles, in the midst of a playoff run, decided they could no longer afford to wait for it.

Pedro Strop

Early in the 2012 season, and again in the World Baseball Classic, Strop showed flashes of being one of the better setup men in the  game. The trouble is that the rest of the time, he’s been a terrible drag on the roster, forcing Buck Showalter to hide him, or reserve him for mop-up duty.

Strop boasts an electric fastball and good contrast and movement with his off-speed stuff. If he figures it out, he is going to be a real weapon in the back end of someone’s bullpen. Unfortunately, he’ also out of options, which meant that the O’s were forced to expose him to waivers, or do their best to get something for him. They couldn’t keep avoiding him – it didn’t benefit anyone involved.

Steve Clevenger

Um… this guy is from Baltimore? The reason he was involved in this trade is that Dan Duquette has made a priority of upgrading the organization’s depth at catcher. Recently parting with Chris Robertson (of Canada/Mexico Brawl fame), this move makes sense. Clevenger is probably just an org guy. And that’s… OK.  Not every deal has to be a blockbuster. Especially not one involving a failed starter and flamethrower with no command.

Scott Feldman

Let’s face it, Scott Feldman is nothing to get excited over. He’s another mid-rotation guy (at best) who has had an unremarkable career, and is having a decent season for the Cubs. He’s eligible for free-agency in 2014, which means that the deal is a net loss of 3 years of club control. But… maybe that’s OK?

After all, no one thought that Jason Hammel would amount to anything when the Orioles acquired him in the Jeremy Guthrie trade. Regardless of how he looks now, Hammel was an integral part of the Birds’ 93-win season.

This team lacks an ace, and Feldman certainly does not fill that bill. But it is not a foregone conclusion that this team needs an ace. With a solid bullpen and a prolific offense, the Orioles can get by with league-average production from its starting five. Feldman can probably provide that.

A Bird’s Eye View

I don’t like this trade, but I don’t hate it. I liked both players and wish the best for them, but in the long run, I’m glad they’re gone. Looking at the trade objectively, there’s little to get excited over: the Orioles gave up future potential for low-risk contributions in the present. Whereas I am thankful not to have to discuss Jake Arrieta’s Twitter hissy-fits, and Pedro Strop’s hat (God, that was a stupid argument), this trade will be difficult to stomach if one or both of them goes on to have a notable post-Orioles career.

With this trade complete, the organization (and fan base) can move forward from asking “what do we do about…” and turn its attention to the upcoming pennant chase.