On a day full of small deals and roster shuffling, Baltimore and Los Angeles saved the best for last. The Orioles are shipping one of their most promising weapons since World War II Dylan Bundy/Kevin Gausman era. Rodriguez has been electric at times since his debut in 2023, but injuries have marred his career. The 26-year-old has been sidelined for the past year due to shoulder inflammation and lat pain. A shoulder injury cost him half of the 2024 season. Injuries in 2022 limited him to 75 2/3 minor league innings and possibly delayed his big league debut.
Rodriguez is under team control through 2029. Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias told reporters in September that the righty was expected to be ready for spring training. Last week Elias told reporters, among others Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Bannerthat Rodriguez “offers us a real wildcard in terms of talent.” Elias will now play that card, making Rodriguez a reliable power bat for a year.
Ward hit a career-high 36 home runs last season. Since becoming a regular in 2022, the 31-year-old has launched 98 home runs with decent plate discipline and excellent run production. Ward’s batting average dropped to .228 last season, but his slugging percentage jumped to a career-high .475. He drove in more than 100 runs for the first time as a big leaguer, while scoring a career-best 86 times.
MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projects Ward to make $13.7 million in his final year of arbitration. He was picked in the first round by the Angels in 2015. Ward tore up minor league pitching at every level, reaching Triple-A in 2018. He slashed a robust .352/.442/.537 with Salt Lake and earned a call-up to the big leagues at the end of that season. Ward fought in 40 games with the Angels and found himself with the Bees. He moved between the two levels for a few seasons before finally cementing his place at the top flight club in 2022. Ward broke out with 23 home runs in 135 games with LA, finishing his first full MLB season with a 136 wRC+.
Ward came on as a catcher, but moved to the corner spots in the infield as he moved up in the Angels system. He played primarily at third base in his early MLB years before transitioning to the outfield. Ward spent some time in center and right field, but has played exclusively in left field since 2023. He finds himself in an uncertain outfield mix that includes, among other things Colton Cowser, Tyler O’NeillAnd Leody Taveras. Young people Dylan Bevers And Heston Kjerstad will also be involved, although the addition of Ward will be another roadblock to consistent hitting for them.
Ward’s departure leaves the Angels behind I Adel, Jorge Solerand some question marks in the outfield. Of Mike Trout Signed to DH, the outfield alternatives include Gustavo Campero, Bryce TheodosioAnd Matthew Lugo. Top prospect Nelson Rada could also push for a place on the list.
It’s a surprise end to Rodriguez’s tenure at the club that drafted him 11th overall in 2018. He rose through the minors quickly, with huge strikeouts that vaulted him to the top of the prospect lists. MLB.com arranged Rodriguez left alone Adley Rutschman in Baltimore’s system in 2022 while finishing in sixth place all prospects. He was the top-ranked pitcher on the board.
Rodriguez didn’t hit the ground running in the major leagues, posting an ugly 7.35 ERA through his first 10 starts. He was sent back to Triple-A to regroup and returned with a vengeance. Rodriguez posted a 2.58 ERA over 13 starts after being recalled. He resolved the control issues that had caused problems in his first stint while striking out nearly one batter per inning. Rodriguez was shelled by the Rangers in the ALDS, but the final three months of the regular season suggested Baltimore had the ace of the future.
During the 2024 campaign, Rodriguez increased his strikeout rate to 26.5% while lowering his walk rate to 7.3%. He recorded his first double-digit strikeout game in May, striking out ten against Boston. Rodriguez had 13 wins in 20 starts before a shoulder problem ended his season in August. A quality start and win over Toronto on the last day of July would ultimately be his last start with the team.
Baltimore’s rotation will be headlined by Trevor Rogers And Kyle Bradish on the way to 2026. Daan Kremer has been a reliable source of innings, but the options are less stable outside of him. Tyler Wells is expected to return to a starting role after returning from UCL surgery late last season. Cade Povich has made 36 starts over the past two seasons, but his career ERA is over 5.00. Brandon Young And Chayce McDermott have also had a hard time with their limited opportunities in the big league. The Orioles have added veterans like Zach Eflin, Charlie MortonAnd Kyle Gibson over the past two seasons to help eat innings. They could dip into that pool of pitchers again this season to fill out the rotation.
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