Sunday Bird Droppings: Where we’re watching the Ravens in the playoffs

Happy Sunday, Camden Chatters! I hope you’re having a nice, relaxing weekend. Will you be watching the NFL playoffs today? I’m not much of a football fan but I’m happy to whip up a pot of chili and watch the Ravens take on the Chargers.

As for the Orioles, moves are starting to be made. They’re small, but it’s happening. Mike Elias is slowly transforming the roster but there really is only so much you can do this early.

Links

Austin Brice claimed by Orioles, Breyvic Valera traded to Giants - MLB.com
RHP Austin Brice was claimed on waivers from the Angels. To make room the Orioles first DFA'd Breyvic Valera and then traded him to the Giants for cash. That's one piece of the Manny Machado trade already gone.

Elias influence already heavy in Orioles organization - School of Roch
I should hope so!

Oliver Drake joins sixth MLB team in eight months - Yahoo Sports
Remember Oliver Drake? He’s on quite a journey. He was just traded by the Blue Jays to the Rays on Friday.

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have a bevy of Orioles birthday buddies, starting with recent Oriole Kevin Gausman. Gausman was prematurely traded to the Braves at the 2018 trade deadline. I would have liked to see what he could do as a member of the Mike Elias Orioles. Maybe he also would have been on the trade block. Who knows? At any rate, Goose turns 28 years old today. I hope he celebrates with some mini powdered donuts.

It’s also the birthday of dark days relief pitcher Brian Bass, who was with the team in 2008-09. Today is his 37th birthday.

Norm Charlton, who is best known for his time with the Cincinnati Reds in the early 90s, turns 56 today. He had a horrific 36 games with the 1998 Orioles, pitching to a 6.94 ERA out of the bullpen.

And finally, it’s the 86th birthday to Mr. Lenny Green. Happy birthday! Lenny Green was a center fielder for the Orioles from 1957-59 before being traded to the Washington Senators in May of ‘59.

On this day in 2009, the Orioles signed pitcher Koji Uehara out of Japan to a two-year, $10 million contract. That was a good signing of a good pitcher. Koji was later traded to the Rangers for Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter.

In 2017, the Orioles traded Yovani Gallardo to the Mariners for Seth Smith.