When the Orioles agreed to a contract with Jordan Lyles a year ago, he was coming off of two straight seasons in which he led all American League pitchers in earned runs allowed. The 2021 season saw Lyles allow more home runs than any MLB pitcher. The usual phrases to try to dress up a mediocre acquisition like “veteran presence” and “innings eater” were deployed. There was absolutely no reason to be excited.
Between then and now, there were surprising developments. Before Lyles ever got into an Orioles uniform, the plan to move back and increase the height of the left field wall at Oriole Park at Camden Yards was revealed to the public.