Orioles’ Mike Elias on Ward/Rodriguez trade, pitching search, non-tender decision
Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias held a video conference with reporters (including MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko) on Friday to discuss the team’s decision at the non-tender deadline as well as several other topics, most notably the one-on-one exchange earlier this week Grayson Rodriguez give to angel in exchange Tyler Ward.
The deal represents the front office’s long-term goal, and as Elias said, Ward “is.”Someone we’ve been chasing for at least a few years, just because of his image, the power of his right hand“. The addition of Ward brings more balance to Baltimore’s lineup, which has quite a lot of left-handed bats, and the ultimate decision to acquire him now had to do with the Orioles’ needs and broader market conditions.”I’m not sure there’s a guy like him out there on the free agent and trade market right now with the kind of bat we thought he had and what he did last year,” Elias said.
Given that scarcity, the Orioles’ eventual willingness to trade Rodriguez was a surprise on many levels. G-Rod has been sidelined by injury since July 31, 2024, but it wasn’t long ago that the former top prospect was viewed as a cornerstone of the Orioles’ rotation. Rodriguez won’t become a free agent until after the 2029 season, while Ward can only become a free agent after the 2026 season.
Elias calls Ward a potentially qualified candidate heading into free agency, “This changes the equation slightly“Follow”Mismatch in potential team control volume“. But overall, the O’s were ultimately willing to take the risk of trading Rodriguez to pry Ward away from Los Angeles.
“Often, trading is uncomfortable. Queuing is difficult and you give up something,” said Elias.”It’s always difficult and fun… Grayson is a good kid. We love raising him and developing him in this organization and he has a bright future. Sometimes, trading is part of baseball“.
Losing Rodriguez deepens Baltimore’s need for starting pitching, and Elias reiterated that it was the club’s main offseason goal. Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Dean Kramer, Taylor Wellsand Cade Povich Now according to the expected starting five lineup, Brandon Young and Chase McDermott Serves as a top depth option in the minors. Even if Rodriguez is still on the field, this team needs more experience and obvious rotation advantages, and Elias once again said that his team is looking for many pitchers, “Whether it’s the swivel top, the front, or the upper half, all those barrels. We’re working on it, there’s a lot of guys out there and we’re pursuing every single one of them“.
With rotation and bullpen needs coming, reunion with swingmen Albert Suarez That could help in two ways, and Elias said the Orioles are interested in a reunion even after not tendering the right-hander yesterday. “I don’t want to go into detail about our decision-making as we make these tender decisions, but we are very much fans of Albert and we very much want to continue talking to him and make that clear to him and his team”, PBO said.
Suarez is another pitcher looking to rebound from a losing 2025 season, after pitching just 11 2/3 innings for the Orioles last year. Suarez was sidelined for most of the year with his right rotator cuff, and late in the season he tore a flexor tendon in his right forearm. The flexor strain is said to be minor and surgery does not appear to be necessary, with Suarez expected to return to throwing training after a recovery period.
MLBTR writer Matt Swartz projects Suarez will be paid $900,000 when he first goes through the arbitration process, as Suarez’s earning potential is clearly diminished by missing the mound in 2025. Despite the modest salary and the fact that the Orioles still had a few years of control remaining, the team chose to part ways with Suarez. It could be that the O’s think they can bring Suarez back for less, or the club may have some concerns about Suarez’s health.
While Elias mentioned the Orioles’ extensive search for pitching, he didn’t directly address the possibility of a rotation, but now trading bats for rotation help. This seems like a logical avenue for Baltimore to explore heading into the offseason, and after the Ward trade and the O’s signing a contract with the team, this strategy may make more sense. Ryan Mountcastle. Between Mountcastle’s projected $7.8MM arbitration salary, his disappointing 2025 numbers, and the first basic picture (which also includes Samuel Barsalo and Kobe Mayothere was a lot of speculation that the Orioles would part ways with Mountcastle entirely.
Instead, the O’s retained Mountcastle because “We think he’s a great batsmanElias said he noted Mountcastle’s performance was hampered by a hamstring strain that kept him on the injured list for more than two months. Elias isn’t concerned about any potential roster gluts as he once again pointed to the many injury issues that have cost the Orioles a 2025 season.
“As we experienced last year, you also have to worry about depth. This is something that will resolve itself. I think the bottom line is, we don’t want to give up a good hitter if we don’t have to, we want to keep our talent, which are guys that are very promising hitters.,” Elias said.
As Elias said, another bat or two may join the mix,”We’re definitely still pursuing upgrades to our product lineup. But I think having Taylor there really solidifies the outfield and gives us a lot more flexibility in terms of looking for the next impact bat and where that guy plays.“. In terms of specific positions, Elias said the team hopes to have more midfield depth, even if Colton Cowser and newly acquired Lady Taveras Currently ranked in the middle.
