Birdland: The Orioles, two years removed from a playoff spot but on pace for what would be a team-record 113 losses, blew up their roster and went into full tank mode. They traded six veterans (infielders Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop and pitchers Zach Britton, Kevin Gausman, Brad Brach and Darren O’Day) for 15 prospects plus bonus money allotted for signing international players.
Five-time All-Star outfielder Adam Jones would have been gone too, but Jones invoked his no-trade rights to reject a deal that might have made him a part-time player with the Phillies. “It was in the team’s best interest, obviously, to get rid of salary … but I earned my right to say no, and I said, ‘Hell no.