The Baltimore Orioles kicked off Spring Training with a bang, shutting out the New York Yankees 2-0. But as they celebrate this early victory, there's a cloud on the horizon: star infielders Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg are sidelined with injuries, threatening to leave a significant gap in their lineup for a good portion of the season.
Enter the potential solution: a trade with the Houston Astros for two-time All-Star Isaac Paredes. This move, suggested by analyst Christopher Kline, could be the key to maintaining the Orioles' competitive edge.
Here's how the trade shapes up:
Orioles Receive:
- 3B Isaac Paredes
Astros Receive:
- OF Enrique Bradfield Jr.
- OF Jeremiah Jackson
Paredes brings a lot to the table for Baltimore. With his All-Star credentials and a couple of years of affordable club control, he could seamlessly fill the void and elevate an already promising lineup. If Gunnar Henderson can hit his stride and return to MVP form, adding Paredes could make the Orioles' offense one of the most formidable in the American League.
Last season, Paredes posted a solid .254/.352/.458/.809 slash line, notching 15 doubles, 20 home runs, and 53 RBIs over 102 games. His performance earned him a well-deserved second All-Star selection. Financially, he's a smart pick for the O's, with a salary of just $9.35 million this year and two years of team control remaining.
The only hitch? Once Holliday and Westburg are back in action, the Orioles will need to figure out Paredes' role. But with no clear timeline for their return, bringing in Paredes seems like a wise move to keep Baltimore's winning ambitions on track.