Orioles’ Jorge Lopez interesting option for Padres
Credit: AP Photo
There is no doubt that the San Diego Padres will upgrade the roster before August 2 and the MLB Trade Deadline.
Offensive upgrades seem to be what is discussed most regarding the Padres, but the team could also use some help in the bullpen area.
Closer Taylor Rogers leads all of Major League Baseball in saves with 28, but he has blown six saves for the Friars this season. The left-handed pitcher owns a 4.35 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP and is due for free agency at the end of the 2022 campaign. San Diego will need to either pay Rogers this winter, or they will need to look elsewhere for a closer next season and beyond.
The way that Rogers has thrown recently, re-signing him to a lucrative deal seems unreasonable.
For the Padres, there are opportunities for the team to upgrade the bullpen and maybe even find a new closer in the next week. Several teams are already fielding calls on their players as the 2022 playoff race establishes itself.
The Baltimore Orioles are presently playing quality baseball and sit at the .500 mark. They are only three games out of the final AL Wild Card position. The team still has playoff ambitions, but there is a chance they could change gears in the next week. If the Orioles go on a losing streak, expect Baltimore to begin taking offers on some of their players.
One of their most valuable players is All-Star closer, Jorge Lopez. The journeyman right-handed pitcher is enjoying a fantastic year pitching solely out of the bullpen. The former starter has a 1.71 ERA and a 0.993 WHIP in 43 games and 47.1 innings pitched. The Puerto Rican native has saved 19 games this season for the Orioles. He would be an upgrade for the Padres.
Lopez is not due for free agency until the 2025 season, so the price tag will not be cheap for San Diego. If you are the Orioles, you evaluate the fact Lopez has never had success like this at the major league level. It may be time to sell high on the reliever. His ERA this month is 5.23 in 11 games, and Baltimore may elect to trade their All-Star pitcher.
The Padres possess the prospect capital to meet Baltimore’s asking price. The team has several young players who are almost major league ready, and they would be a great addition to the Orioles as they rebuild for the future. There is no doubt that there are players Baltimore covets within the Padres system. The problem is coming to an agreement on Lopez and what his value is at the moment.
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The Baltimore Orioles are playing well, but they have a long road in order to make the 2022 playoffs. Odds are, the team will field offers on some of their veteran players in the coming days. San Diego could be interested if the Orioles decide to move Jorge Lopez. The postseason is approaching fast, and there is no time like the present to upgrade the roster.
A.J. Preller and his staff are not shy when it comes to trades. Expect the Padres to be front and center in virtually every trade rumor that surfaces in the next seven days. The hot stove is heating up, and the iron could strike in Baltimore with a Padres/Orioles trade.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.
A team whose closer has a 4.35 ERA has ZERO chance of winning. Thanks AJ!
The bullpen is a disaster. The offense is a disaster. Other than the starting pitching, this is a bottom 5 team. How does AJ have a job? What additional disaster awaits the Padres in the next few days?
Lopez would be the quintessential AJ move, buying high (even though he has a 5+ ERA recently), and assuredly selling low on Padre prospects.