More on Irvin and Maton, plus some Orioles lineup speculation

One matter was resolved yesterday with the Twins claiming left-hander Cole Irvin on waivers only one day after the Orioles designated him for assignment. Irvin won’t stay in the organization, and now we track reliever Kyle Virbitsky’s progress while grading the Jan. 26, 2023 trade with Oakland.

Virbitsky went a combined 7-2 with a 3.43 ERA and 1.197 WHIP in 41 relief appearances between High-A Aberdeen and Double-A Bowie. He surrendered only five home runs and struck out 69 batters in 57 2/3 innings.

The Orioles dug into their infield prospect pile and sent Darell Hernáiz to the Athletics. He’s appeared in 44 games this season as a rookie and batted .193/.268/.239.

The honeymoon period with Irvin was short. They optioned him last year after only three starts, when he allowed 15 runs and walked eight batters in 12 2/3 innings. The rest of his brief Orioles career was spent bouncing from the rotation to the bullpen to the minors.

Irvin is joining Minnesota’s expanded roster today. The Orioles won’t be deciding whether to offer him arbitration this winter, which probably wasn’t in the cards but didn’t come with any sort of confirmation.

I've been surprised at least three times since his arrival. I didn’t think the leash was so short last year that he’d be optioned in April. I didn’t think he’d clear waivers at this year’s deadline. And I didn’t think he’d get claimed after already clearing waivers the first time.

Every team seems to need pitching and Irvin is a left-hander with some success in the majors filling various roles. I suppose it makes sense for the Twins to see whether he can assist in their playoff push at a modest financial commitment – he’s owed approximately $151,000 - and he’s under team control for two more years.

Minnesota needs length out of the 'pen, but it's also starting three rookies who are challenged to get through the fourth. Irvin could hop into the rotation if he's stretched out. His exact role is pending.

The Orioles will be busy in the offseason filling out their rotation with Corbin Burnes being a free agent, John Means a free agent and recovering from a second Tommy John surgery, and Kyle Bradish and Tyler Well unavailable for much or most of the 2025 season after their elbow procedures. But Irvin was pulled from the competition.  

A ton of copy was posted in spring training about his increased velocity and terrific start in camp. The special diet and workout regime. Then, his velo tumbled and he talked about his commitment to going pitch-by-pitch and not worrying about radar readings.

Irvin didn’t make a huge contribution to the Orioles, but his charitable work left a mark and he’ll go down as one of the better media guys in the clubhouse. Always available and expansive in his responses. He's a good guy.

Still to come is whether Nick Maton clears waivers and if he stays in the organization. Another left-handed hitting infielder isn’t a priority with Jackson Holliday and Liván Soto on the roster, and Maton is hitless in 23 at-bats in spring training and five in the regular season. This isn’t a reflection of his hitting skills, but man, it’s an odd statistic.

Maton batted .261/.368/.477 with 12 doubles, a triple, 16 home runs and 56 RBIs in 86 games with Triple-A Norfolk. An Orioles’ roster in injury tatters certainly had room for Maton, but he didn’t get much of a chance.

He’s also arbitration eligible this winter and apparently not in the Orioles’ plans, but part of their offseason will be spent making depth moves on the Triple-A roster.

Perhaps we’ll find out more about the plans for left-hander Danny Coulombe, who’s made two injury rehab appearances with Norfolk following his surgery in June to remove bone chips from his left elbow.  Does he require a third or are the Orioles convinced that he’s ready?

Irvin was the corresponding move Sunday when the Orioles reinstated Jacob Webb. They have room for Coulombe on the 40-man roster once he’s reinstated from the 60-day injured list but they’ll need to remove a reliever from the bullpen and it’s going to be really interesting.

We should spin back to the internal discussions about the playoff roster and whether it’s worth keeping anyone who isn’t projected to be on it. At what point do you cut bait?

Coulombe could force the issue. Sharpen those scissors.

Manager Brandon Hyde's lineup also will be interesting with the Orioles facing Giants left-hander Blake Snell. Coby Mayo is getting more bench time than I anticipated - I seem to recall writing that you don't bring him up to sit - but Emmanuel Rivera is ahead of him at third base. However, Rivera could start at first base tonight and give Mayo third.

Ryan O'Hearn seems certain to sit against a lefty.

The other alternative would be to play Anthony Santander at first, where he's taking ground balls, but two-thirds of the outfield would contain left-handed hitters, with Austin Slater the exception.

That's overthinking it. Put Mayo at third, Rivera at first, Santander in right and Eloy Jiménez at designated hitter despite his 1-for-21 month. Decide between Holliday and Soto at second, and it's gonna create a big stir if the former is out of the lineup for a third straight game, and keep the candle for Jordan Westburg burning in the window. A positive update on him is needed today.