Orioles showing concerning pattern of punishing good play and rewarding mediocrity

Over the past couple of days, Albert Suarez and Dietrich Enns both extended themselves to keep the Orioles in close games. Enns pitched on back-to-back days in high-leverage spots, and Suarez gave the Orioles four shutout innings in long relief on Sunday night. For each pitcher, their reward for the service was being DFA'd the next day to make room for more rested arms.

This is a part of the business of baseball. Relievers at the back of the bullpen are subject to roster churn and have to deal with getting sent down and DFA'd. This was Suarez's third time being DFA'd by the Orioles this year, so it probably didn't come as a shock to him. You want your front office to be proactive about making sure their roster is ready to compete, so in some ways, this roster churn is a good thing.

The Baltimore Orioles worst reliever continues to survive while better arms get sent packing

The question is, are the Orioles DFAing the right guys? The Orioles would have you believe that because Suarez pitched four innings and would have been down for a couple of days, and with Enns going back-to-back, he'd have been down for at least a day, that they "had" to DFA them. However, they do have a choice in the matter.

On the day that the Orioles DFA'd Suarez, they could have just as easily DFA'd Keegan Akin. Akin had also pitched a lot of innings recently and has been a lot worse than Suarez on the season. He had a 12.66 ERA on the year and a 24.00 ERA over the last two weeks. He's been a negative by every pitching metric imaginable. Compared to Saurez, who has been reliable and versatile for the Orioles all year when he's not bouncing around in DFA limbo.

If the Orioles needed a fresh arm for game one against the Rays, why not DFA the guy who's been used a lot and been terrible for the team over the past few weeks instead of the guy who's been shoving in his various opportunities? Sure, Suarez has a track record of clearing waivers, but who would claim Akin? Nobody is looking at what Akin is doing on the mound and salivating at the opportunity to get him in their building.

On the day the Orioles DFA'd Enns, they could have just as easily sent down Anthony Nunez without having to DFA anyone. Raquet, who was called up to replace Enns, will only be on the roster until the Orioles call up Trey Gibson or whoever they want to make a spot start this week. If this is all temporary, why DFA anyone? Nunez could go down; there's already an open spot on the 40-man to call up Raquet. Raquet can be on the roster for a couple of days, then get DFA'd, and after the minimum days spent in the minors, Nunez could return.

Nunez could use a short triple-A reset anyway. He got off to a great start in April and has a bright future, but he's really struggled in May, putting up a 9.64 ERA in just over nine innings. 15 days in triple-A to straighten some things out, and he could come back to the top majors a refreshed.

Alas, the Orioles decided that Suarez and Enns were the ones who had to go. There's no way to undo a DFA. Hopefully, both pitchers avoid getting claimed and find their way back to the Orioles shortly.

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