Rebuild. The word has now been uttered by both Dan Duquette and Buck Showalter in public. There isn’t much evidence to go on just yet, but the Manny Machado trade suggests that they are serious. Instead of settling for a Brandon Drury package from the Yankees or an Addison Russell-centered deal with the Cubs, the O’s opted for four prospects at Double-A and a “throw in” that still has his rookie status. That is not the move of a retooling club. That is the beginning of a full gut job.
Zach Britton is expected to be the next domino to fall and may then be joined by Adam Jones and Brad Brach out the door.