Early trade target considerations for the Baltimore Orioles

Daniel Bard

RHP Colorado Rockies

Under Contract through 2022

Keeping it in the NL West, the Baltimore Orioles could look towards the Rocky Mountains for some bullpen stability. The O’s are seemingly set with Jorge Lopez, Cionel Perez, Keegan Akin, and Nick Vespi (which sounds set, but it’s not). Baker, Bautista, and Tate have been used a lot, and but are more up and down than the waives in the Harbor.

Early trade target considerations for the Baltimore Orioles

Daniel Bard has been closing for the Rockies, and has looked like this so far in 2022: 3-2, with a 2.31 ERA, 12 saves, and 29 punch-outs. Wait, why would the O’s want another closer? The wouldn’t or at least don’t need one with how well Jorge has been doing. Bard hasn’t always been a closer, only since Colorado made put him in that slot in 2020 did things really settle in.

Bard spend many a good year in Boston, so he is also very familiar with the AL East much like Snell from the previous page. Since Bard is only under the Rockies thumb until the end of the year, the O’s could be smart and wait for Free Agency, but that might become to risky with how he has played.

However, don’t expect the Rockies to just give him away because his contract ends soon. No, they are going to want to cash in on this payday if they are sending him out. If Elias made the move for Bard, don’t expect the Rockies organization to just say for cash, or for a PTBNL. Bard and some farm guys for Mancini? Santander? Or even better, maybe the O’s give up Smith or Diaz?