Weekend Bird Droppings: Spooky season concludes

Good morning, Birdland!

Somehow, someway, October comes to an end this weekend. And depending upon the outcome of the two World Series games set to take place over the next two days, the baseball season could officially be over as well.

It’s a sad day when there is no Major League Baseball left to watch. But from the perspective of Orioles’ fans, the offseason will be a welcome sight. It’s one step closer to seeing Adley Rutschman and Grayson Rodriguez in Baltimore, which should be accompanied by a few more wins as well. And that’s before we even think about some of the less-heralded prospects that could join them in the Charm City sometime soon.

But this thing is not going to be built on home-grown prospects alone. The Orioles will need to inject some significant talent from outside the organization at some point, and that could come this winter. Now, that does not necessarily mean big free-agent or trade moves, although it could. This club should be ready to hit the ground running in 2023, and leaving all impactful moves for the last-minute would seem like a tall task.

Links

Gibbons on Diaz, Stowers and Neustrom | School of Roch
The Orioles have an intriguing wave of outfield prospects that should be ready to contribute in 2022. None of them are “Top 100” types, although Yusniel Diaz used to be. That said, there is enough to like about them that it could make both DJ Stewart and Anthony Santander dispensable this offseason.

What Happened To Dean Kremer In 2021? | Eutaw Street Report
For me, Dean Kremer may have been the biggest individual disappointment this season. He just did not perform like a major league-caliber pitcher, and that is worrisome. But there is no reason to give up on him just yet. There will be plenty of innings to go around in 2022, and he will undoubtedly throw some of them. But they need to me more effective than what he did in 2021.

After his 2021 season, what should we be making of Akin? | Steve Melewski
It’s tough to tell. It feels like he is probably not a starter long term, but he was decent down the stretch in that role. He should be given a chance to earn a spot in the rotation. If he stinks, he seems like a perfect fit as a swingman out of the ‘pen.

Orioles birthdays

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

• Luis Matos turns 43 years old. From 2000 through 2005, Matos played in 494 games for the Orioles, mostly in centerfield. He was worth 4.4 bWAR during his Orioles stint.
• Yamaico Navarro is 34 years old. The utility infielder played in eight games for the 2013 O’s.
• Tim Byrdak celebrates his 48th. The southpaw appeared in 57 games out of the bullpen for the Orioles between 2005 and ‘06.
• David Dullucci is 48. His 13-season career began with 17 games on the 1997 Orioles.
• Steve Trachsel turns 50. The right-handed pitcher had an impressive career largely spent with the Cubs and Mets. But he did have two stays in Baltimore, a 25-game stint in 2007 and then 10 more games in 2008.
• Matt Nokes is 58. The journeyman catcher played in 26 games for the 1995 O’s.
• Mike Smith is also 58. His entire MLB career lasted 15 games and spanned the 1989 and ‘90 seasons, all with the Orioles.
• The biggest birthday shoutout goes to the late Dave McNally (b. 1942, d. 2002). The left-handed pitcher spent 13 seasons in Baltimore, finished in the top four of Cy Young voting three times and was named to the All-Star Game three times. An absolute Baltimore sports legend.

This weekend in O’s history

1977 - Mike Flanagan is named the winner of the AL Cy Young Award.

1986 - The O’s trade pitcher Storm Davis to the Padres for catcher Terry Kennedy and minor leaguer Mark Williamson.