A rebuild is an imperfect science, no matter all of the scouting and analytics that dictate modern-day baseball transactions. There can nonetheless be misses, or accidents that derail a participant as soon as regarded as a centerpiece, and three strikes in latest months from the Orioles present as a lot.
The newest got here Saturday, when second baseman Jahmai Jones cleared unconditional launch waivers and was launched — probably ending the previous high 100 prospect’s time with the Orioles. He might all the time re-sign, notably as he rehabs from the Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgical procedure he underwent final week.
But the discharge of Jones is the latest reminder but of the imperfect means of buying and selling for unproven but promising younger gamers. And with one other commerce deadline approaching firstly of August by which the Orioles will seemingly be sellers, there could possibly be extra offers made with none ensures they’ll get main league contributors in return for those they offer up.
And Jones, who the Orioles acquired in a deal that despatched right-hander Alex Cobb — in addition to about $10 million to cowl a lot of the final 12 months of Cobb’s contract — to the Los Angeles Angels in February 2021, could possibly be the first instance, with an damage and his launch inside every week.
“He’s still a young guy,” supervisor Brandon Hyde mentioned. “Hopefully he’s got a long career ahead of him. Just one of those — that’s a tough injury that puts you out for a year or so. Like I said, he’s still young, and hopefully he can have a good career ahead of him.”
There are different latest examples of prospects the Orioles appeared excessive on earlier than circumstances required their removing from the 40-man roster or they be positioned on waivers.
Left-hander Kevin Smith and a low-level prospect had been acquired from the New York Mets in change for right-hander Miguel Castro, however Smith handed via waivers this offseason, eradicating him from the 40-man roster as his outcomes on the minor league degree left a lot to be desired.
Right-hander Isaac Mattson joined Baltimore alongside right-handers Zach Peek, Kyle Bradish and Kyle Brnovich from the Los Angeles Angels in change for right-hander Dylan Bundy in December 2019. Mattson made his main league debut final season however was faraway from the 40-man roster in April, a serious regression for one more commerce piece.
Both Mattson and Smith handed via waivers unclaimed, undesirable on one other crew’s 40-man roster not lengthy after Baltimore sought them out in trades. Jones did the identical, an indication the Orioles had been transferring on — at the least for the second — from all three.
When the Orioles traded for Jones, it appeared to sign a change in organizational route. For a lot of govt vp and common supervisor Mike Elias’ tenure in Baltimore, the group focused youthful expertise within the decrease reaches of the farm system.
The Orioles diverged from that in buying and selling Cobb for Jones in a one-for-one deal. Jones had already made his main league debut with the Angels, seemingly accelerating his time to achieve the large leagues in Baltimore.
But after 72 plate appearances in 2021 with a .149 common, Jones was despatched again to the minors. He may return sooner or later. But it was one other reminder that trades — for present main leaguers or these considered as future main leaguers — is an unsure enterprise with no ensures.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com