The Baltimore Orioles are looking to make more additions and they are trying to go out with a bang as the Trade Deadline approaches. Recent rumors have the Orioles in the mix for the Seattle Mariners' Mike Morse AND reliever Oliver Perez. The move would be the Orioles' third in the month and it will make them true contenders in the A.L. East, one of the toughest divisions in baseball.
Morse is fresh of the disabled list, which is why his numbers in recent days haven't been so impressive. After a monster beginning to the season that saw him smash eight home runs, Morse has only hit three home runs in his last 34 games. Though Morse is injury prone, he could become a deadly bat in the middle of the Orioles offense. The Orioles lead all of baseball with 142 home runs and are fourth with 486 RBI and 504 runs scored.
Where can the Orioles place Morse? Nate McLouth has been consistent in 2013 and is too valuable in the Orioles' lineup and outfield. Morse could be the official DH, as the Orioles already have Chris Davis as the everyday first baseman. He could join Adam Jones, Manny Machado and J.J. Hardy as right-handed bats with pop.
Perez would simply provide a heavy boost in the bullpen. The Orioles already acquired pitching after getting starter Scott Feldman from the Chicago Cubs, then later acquiring setup man, Francisco Rodriguez from the Milwaukee Brewers. Perez has remarkably bounced back after his career seemed over with the New York Mets.
So far in 2013, Perez is 2-2 with a 2.35 ERA and an amazing 12.2 K/9 Ratio, totaling 52 strikeouts through 38.1 innings pitched. He could provide a left-handed arm out of the bullpen late in the game. He has two saves, though not extremely impressive, he could provide an option as a closer if in case Rodriguez and Jim Johnson can't finish a game.
The Orioles are currently trailing the Tampa Bay Rays by five games and 4.5 games behind the second place Boston Red Sox.
