Baltimore Orioles starting pitchers Bud Norris and Ubaldo Jimenez could be on the trading block, according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
Orioles reportedly considering Bud Norris, Ubaldo Jimenez trades
The Orioles might not be able to move their highest-paid starter for anything of value, so seeking offers for another starter appears to be in the cards.
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Jimenez, the recipient of a four-year, $50 million deal last offseason, is drawing “moderate” interest. The 28-year-old right-hander struggled in his first season with the Orioles, posting a 4.81 ERA while walking a career-high 5.5 batters per nine innings.
Baltimore seems most intent on moving Jimenez, but that might not be realistic considering his contract and recent struggles. As a result, the club "may consider" finding a trade partner for Norris. The Orioles acquired the 29-year-old righty from the Houston Astros midway through the 2013 season and have received strong production from him. Norris owns a 3.92 ERA with 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings in 216 frames with the team.
The Orioles spent most of 2014 trying to accommodate six different pitchers in their rotation. Jimenez (80 ERA+) was easily the worst of the bunch, so it’s no surprise he’s being shopped. But Norris was above average, and retaining him would allow Baltimore to keep its enviable starting pitching depth. On the flip side, Norris is due a hefty raise in arbitration -- from $5.3 million to $8.7 million, predicts MLB Trade Rumors’ Tim Dierkes -- and will be a free agent after next season.
Parting with Norris and Jimenez -- assuming the Orioles would do so with both pitchers -- would leave a rotation of Chris Tillman, Wei-Yin Chen, Miguel Gonzalez, Kevin Gausman and either a rookie or a new acquisition. Dylan Bundy, who should be stronger now that more time has passed since he underwent Tommy John surgery, will be a year closer to the big leagues. Mike Wright, a lesser regarded prospect, pitched well at times at Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles were also linked to free-agent starter A.J. Burnett, though no offer was made, according to Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun.
Burnett eventually re-signed with the Pirates, with whom he spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
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