MLB Trade Rumors 2016: Talks Between Orioles, Yovani Gallardo
The Baltimore Orioles are on the brink of signing a big-time player in Yovani Gallardo, with reports saying that both parties are in the process of negotiating a three-year contract that will give the right hander at least $40 million.
Gallardo played for the Texas Rangers last season, going 13-11 and with a 3.42 ERA. He's known as a workhorse in baseball and has, in fact, managed to play in at least 180 innings for the past seven seasons in the major league, playing for the Milwaukee Brewers and then the Rangers last season.
The Mexican pitcher was selected right out of high school by the Brewers in the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft; he then went on to play for the team that drafted him from 2006 to 2014. But in his stint with the Rangers last season, he had the lowest strikeout rate in his career (5.9 batters per nine innings), but he has shown in the past that he could play better than that. Obviously, the Orioles are taking a gamble on him, hoping that he brings back the kind of performance he showcased in his early years in Milwaukee.
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Because Gallardo's signing is almost certain, it means that the Orioles are likely going to forfeit their No. 14 pick in the upcoming draft. Likewise, there's also the possibility that they will be contemplating on also giving up the second round pick, in order to get a veteran free agent who can provide immediate impact on the upcoming season's campaign.
If both parties agree to a deal, Baltimore's pitching rotation will see a substantial improvement this year. Although Gallardo is expected to be the second or third starter, he'll certainly climb up if he is able to keep himself healthy. He'll join the likely starter in Chris Tillman and other regulars in Miguel Gonzalez, Kevin Gausman, and Ubaldo Jimenez.
