BALTIMORE — Jackson Holliday is getting another crack at the major leagues. The Orioles on Wednesday recalled the 20-year-old top prospect from Triple-A Norfolk after a dreadful debut earlier this season.
The team's also coming off a busy trade deadline.
Here's a breakdown of who's coming and going.
Orioles acquired right-handed reliever Seranthony Domínguez and backup outfielder Cristian Pache from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange forAustin Hays.
Analysis: In Hays the Phillies get a 29-year-old veteran outfielder who started in the 2023 MLB All Star Game. Hays already made his presence felt in four games with his new team, hitting a home run and knocking in four RBI's. Domínguez, meanwhile, has made three appearances out of the bullpen for the O's tossing three scoreless innings. Pache, 25, is currently 1-1 at the plate in a Birds uniform. The light-hitting outfielder is known more for his speed and defense.
Orioles acquired right-handed starting pitcherZach Eflinfrom the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor leaguers Mac Horvath, Matthew Etzel and Jackson Baumeister.
Analysis: The Orioles brought in Eflin to help stabilize an ailing rotation. The 30-year-old signed a three-year $40 million deal with the Rays as a free agent leading up to the 2023 season. Last year he set a career best 16-8 record with a 3.50 ERA. This season he's 6-7 with a 4.11 ERA. He won his July 29th Orioles debut against Toronto, giving up three runs on 10 hits in six innings pitched. As for Horvath and Baumeister, they're ranked numbers 10 and 17 respectively on the Orioles top prospects list, according to MLB Pipeline.
Orioles acquired left-handed starting pitcher Trevor Rogers from the Miami Marlins in exchange for top infield prospect Connor Norby and outfielder Kyle Stowers.
Analysis: Another attempt by the Orioles to aid a rotation in dire need of quality starters. Despite his current 2-9 win-loss record, Rogers, 26, appears to have rebounded from an injury plagued 2023 season which limited him to just 18 innings pitched. Rogers is far removed from his 2021 form that earned him an All Star nod and second place finish in National League Rookie of the Year voting. The O's expectations are obviously high as they surrendered their number five rated prospect in Connor Norby, a 26-year-old infielder whose shown immense power in the minor leagues. Kyle Stowers, another young power-hitter was shipped to Miami as well. Rogers has yet to make his first start in an O's uniform.
Orioles acquired outfielder Eloy Jiménez from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for minor league pitcher Trey McGough.
Analysis: Jiménez comes to Baltimore from the White Sox in the final season of a 6-year $43 million contract. The 27-year-old originally signed with the Cubs as a highly touted amateur out of Cuba before moving to Chicago's southside with pitcher Dylan Cease in a big 2017 trade. During his 2019 rookie campaign Jiménez lived up to the hype blasting 31 home runs. However, injuries have since hampered his progression. This season Jiménez is looking to regain the promise he once had, but is batting just .240.
Orioles acquired left-handed reliever Gregory Soto from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for minor league pitchers Seth Johnson and Moisés Chace.
Analysis: Along with starting rotation help, the O's were in search of bullpen arms. Relievers have struggled to hold onto leads half-way through the season, jeopardizing the O's chances of advancing deep into the playoffs. With Soto, the Orioles get a six-year veteran with two All Star selections under his belt. So far this season, Soto has struggled a bit with his control walking 20 batters in 35.1 innings pitched. Although he's racked up 44 strikeouts, Soto's also given up 36 hits resulting in a 4.08 ERA and 1.585 WHIP. Soto joins Seranthony Domínguez for the journey down I-95 from Philly to Baltimore in hopes of suring up the Orioles pen.
Final Word: While the Orioles didn't land any so called "big name" on the trade market, they addressed two major needs in the starting rotation and bullpen, while only having to part with one major prospect in Norby. The team also said goodbye to Hays, an established home grown veteran well known in Baltimore communities.
How big an impact the new guys have down the stretch, and whether the trades were good or bad decisions is yet to be determined.
