MLB Trade Deadline: American League East Needs

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Baltimore Orioles

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

NEED TO: Get a Starter (or two)

With an eye on the post season, the Orioles MUST add pitching. They need to find a stud to throw out there in a short series. Right now, they do not have the true, show stopping ace that post season winning depends on. Wei- Yin Chen leads the team with a 9-3 record, but his ERA is 4.15. In fact, the Orioles current rotation, which includes Ubaldo Jimenez who is on the 15 Day DL has a combined ERA of 3.99! Also,

Orioles rotation has accounted for fewest IP (543-1/3) of any winning team in MLB this year; that's why they're open to adding a starter.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 18, 2014

That cannot make the O’s feel comfortable. They’ve got to add an arm. To that end, there’s this:

Phillies and Orioles have had very preliminary talks on a trade that would send A.J. Burnett to Baltimore, sources tell @FOXSports1.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 19, 2014

I suppose that is an addition…I don’t see it being enough to get the Orioles a series win in the post season. It might help them get there, which they may end up doing anyway. I’d aim higher. I was surprised to read this from MLB Insider, Chris Cotillo. Apparently, the O’s are not happy with their options behind the dish and are looking to get rid of Nick Hundley (they offered him to St Louis when Yadier Molina went down) and look for another option. Cotillo says they could kick the tires on John Buck (free agent) or possibly acquire Kurt Suzuki.

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