The worst team in baseball (32-74) - the Baltimore Orioles - could be one of the winners in the non-waiver trade period.
They traded six players (three today) and received fifteen players as well as some cash to start their rebuild. Thirteen of the fifteen were designated to the minors. Nine of the fifteen are pitchers. Of those players they traded, five of the six players' contracts were up at the end of the season. The Orioles cleared a significant percentage of their payroll with the trades. The six players '18 salaries made up 30% of their payroll ($55 mill). Another player who made $3.0 mill chose Free Agency rather than be sent to the minors.
While the Os paid most of this season's salaries for these players (retained salaries), they saved $20 million total in salaries for the rest of the season by trading them.
Prior to the trading period, the O's team payroll was $143 mill. Now the team salary is $123 million. They currently rank 20th in team salary out of 30 teams. One analysis grades the five trades involving six Os players with Baltimore getting two B+s and three Bs on the players they received.
Adam Jones, who makes $17 mill a year and who will be a Free Agent at the end of the year, was not dealt. He had a no trade clause in which he would have to agree to any trade. Jones reportedly exercised his right to refuse a trade to Philadelphia and will be an Oriole until the end of the season. He does not seem to be part of Baltimore's future plans with a number of young outfielders coming up through trades and from their minor league system. He probably wouldn't cost $17 mill a year in his next contract, and his salary contributing to the team payroll this year will drop their payroll for 2019 even lower.
Baltimore now has a lot more depth, players they can use as future trade chips, more cash, and room in the payroll to sign free agents in the offseason.
