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Baltimore Orioles Hot Stove: Rumored interest in Tyler Chatwood

By Kristen Bentley

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 5: Starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood #32 of the Colorado Rockies delivers to home plate during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on September 5, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 5: Starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood #32 of the Colorado Rockies delivers to home plate during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on September 5, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Right-handed pitcher Tyler Chatwood is the latest name popping up in the Baltimore Orioles Hot Stove rumor mill.

As a former pitcher for the Colorado Rockies, throwing for the Baltimore Orioles would not be intimidating for him.

His experience in Colorado makes him a good choice to fill one of the starting pitcher roster spots

The rumor was shared on Twitter by Jon Morosi.

Chatwood’s ERA is 4.69, which is misleading considering that he pitched half of his games in Colorado. His batting average against in Colorado was .302, but on the road, batters hit .200 against him. He gave up 10 home runs at home and 10 on the road.

The young right-handed pitcher had a significantly better 2016 than 2017. His ERA was 3.87 in 2016 and he had more wins than losses. Unfortunately, in 2017, he led the league in losses.

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Chatwood was drafted in 2008 by the Los Angeles Angels and he pitched for the Halos in 2011. He was traded to the Rockies for Chris Iannetta. Now, at age 27, Chatwood has earned his free agency. Part of the attraction of Chatwood for the Orioles (or any team) is his affordability. In 2017, he earned $4.4 million. This is a big difference when looking at the costs of pitchers like Yu Darvish, Jake Arrieta, and Masahiro Tanaka who are all predicted to make about $20 million each annually in their next contracts.

According to Fangraphs, Chatwood has a speedy fastball that reaches the mid-90s. He also has high-80s cutter as well as a changeup and curve. He rarely goes to his changeup, but that makes it effective. In 2017, his fastball was his least effective pitch, but this was not the case in 2016 when it was.

Chatwood would be a positive addition to the Orioles rotation, but he is not the ace that the team needs. In Colorado, he started in 25 games. Of the five pitchers who started the most games, he had the highest ERA, but only by a fraction. Antonio Senzatela had an ERA of 4.68, but he threw in fewer innings and had eight fewer starts.

Next: Why the Orioles have too much to lose this Hot Stove season

If the Orioles do decide to add Chatwood to their rotation, he would be the third end of the rotation guy. The Orioles clearly need someone to lead the team to more wins. The team cannot succeed with inning eaters. Unless Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman can step it up and become the one and two guys, the Orioles will need to spend or trade to get someone.

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