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Baltimore Orioles: Ten Trades We Wish Were April Fools’ Jokes

ByNick Stevens|
25 Jun 1998: Steve Finley #12 of the San Diego Padres looks on during an interleague game against the Seattle Mariners at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Padres defeated the Mariners 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport
25 Jun 1998: Steve Finley #12 of the San Diego Padres looks on during an interleague game against the Seattle Mariners at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Padres defeated the Mariners 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport
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Baltimore Orioles
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 16: Pitcher Josh Hader #71 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches during the eighth inning of Game Four of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

The Baltimore Orioles elected not to keep their local product, shipping him off to the Houston Astros.

In the 19th round of the 2012 MLB draft, the Baltimore Orioles selected a left-handed pitcher by the name of Josh Hader out of Old Mill High School in Millersville, Maryland. Just over a year later, Hader realized he would not have the opportunity to pitch for his hometown team, as he was traded to the Houston Astros for major league pitching help.

Unfortunately for the Orioles, the major league pitching help never came. Packaged with outfielder L.J. Hoes and a draft pick, Hader was sent to the Astros for starting pitcher Bud Norris.

Norris went 21-20 with a 4.65 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 57 appearances (48 starts) before being released by Baltimore and bouncing around the league ever since. He’s currently with the Toronto Blue Jays on a minor league deal, attempting to gain a major league spot again after performing in a semi-decent role as a closer the last two seasons with the Angels and Cardinals.

Hader has just two seasons under his belt at the major league level but has been lights out during his brief tenure. Sure, he could flame out at any point, he is a relief pitcher, after all. However, Hader has been the real deal, thus far. In his first 129 innings, he has fanned 211 hitters.

On Saturday, March 30th, Hader completed an immaculate inning against the St. Louis Cardinals.

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