Orioles get back to non-trade baseball business (updated)

The trade deadline is dust and Orioles manager Brandon Hyde can get back to talking about his rotation, bullpen, lineup, injuries and anything else that doesn't involve territory occupied by the front office.

(I was beginning to feel sorry for him. What is he supposed to say when he isn't the one doing the trading?)

Of course, Hyde will be pressed to offer his thoughts on keeping the players on his roster. How he won't have to fill any roles. How certain players can relax. How much he'll miss Dan Straily.

And then he can talk about the other stuff.

The 2019 deadline felt much different because of the new format and the Orioles' current situation. And it fell on an off-day, which was both convenient and kind of weird.

They weren't stripping away high-priced veterans as the start of a total teardown and rebuild. Andrew Cashner's exit left Mark Trumbo as the only pending free agent, and he could decide to retire. The Orioles can't trade him while he's shut down again following right knee surgery and hasn't played this season.

There was no drama surrounding Manny Machado, Zack Britton, Brad Brach and others. Mychal Givens was this year's Kevin Gausman, a pitcher still under team control beyond 2019, but a trade chip who could be moved and offer a little more salary relief. Jonathan Villar was Jonathan Schoop, an infielder still under team control beyond 2019, but a trade chip who could be moved and offer a little more salary relief.

Dylan Bundy didn't play the part of Kevin Gausman. His value is down.

Also, the Orioles didn't have a Darren O'Day to attach in a trade. The Orioles removed his $9.35 million salary for this season with the Braves agreeing to take him, and the veteran right-hander still hasn't pitched since June 26, 2018.

When the dust settled and the smoke cleared and the cows came home, the Orioles made a minor league trade by sending Straily to the Phillies for cash considerations.

In previous years as buyers, the Orioles surrendered pitching prospects such as Jake Arrieta, Josh Hader, Eduardo Rodriguez and Zach Davies while seeking the final piece to the puzzle that would get them into the World Series.

(Let's not include Pedro Strop, who was out of minor league options and couldn't find home plate if you gave him a map and supplies.)

The Orioles seemed to be in between buyer and seller in 2017 before acquiring infielder Tim Beckham from the Rays for minor league pitcher Tobias Myers. They were going for it again and collapsed in September.

Myers, by the way, is 5-1 with a 2.95 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 14 games (nine starts) with high Single-A Charlotte. He's walked 23 batters, struck out 36 and surrendered three home runs in 58 innings.

There was no gray area with the Orioles yesterday. They were selling. But the collective pieces weren't as enticing as in past years.

Getting back to playing games tonight, the Orioles open a four-game series against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards and haven't announced their starters.

Jimmy Yacabonis, Asher Wojciechowski, Aaron Brooks, Dylan Bundy, David Hess and Tom Eshelman were the last six starters after the Orioles left Arizona. I suppose the Orioles were waiting to make certain that no one from the group was traded before setting up the rotation for the Blue Jays series. I was confident that they'd stay intact. And yesterday's off-day gave Hyde some maneuverability.

Bundy, Hess and Eshelman are short-resters who won't start tonight. At least we know that much.

Infielder José Rondón is joining the Orioles today after they claimed him off waivers Wednesday from the White Sox. He likely takes the roster spot of pitcher Chandler Shepherd, who was optioned yesterday to Triple-A Norfolk.

The Orioles lost Dwight Smith Jr. to a calf injury and could bring up another outfielder unless they feel secure with more infielders handling the position. DJ Stewart was in Norfolk's lineup last night.

This is the type of business that usually is front and center, except when it's boxed out by that pesky trade deadline.

Update: Rondon has been added to the 25-man roster and assigned No. 6.