The Baltimore Orioles ended their three-game losing streak with a convincing 8-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, setting up a rubber match on Sunday. It was an important victory for the Orioles, as their early season schedule was packed with division rivals and American League contenders, making it crucial to start racking up wins against such teams.
However, the game wasn’t the only noteworthy event between the two teams. Robert Murray of FanSided reported that Baltimore traded infielder Nick Gordon to the Royals, with Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun later confirming that the Orioles received cash in return for the deal.
Gordon, a former fifth overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft, has not lived up to the expectations that typically come with such a high selection. His best season came in 2022 with the Minnesota Twins, when he hit .272/.316/.427, belted nine home runs, drove in 50 RBIs, and posted an OPS+ of 111. That season was his second in the majors, and it seemed like he might fulfill the potential of a first-round pick. However, his career took a hit when he fractured his tibia in May 2023, limiting him to just 34 games and leaving him with a disappointing OPS+ of 35.
Gordon was traded to the Miami Marlins before the 2024 season but struggled to make an impact. At 29 years old, he signed a minor league contract with Baltimore this winter, hoping to earn a spot with the team. However, with Gunnar Henderson returning from the injured list and Ramon Urias excelling in his utility role, the Orioles opted to trade Gordon to Kansas City, gaining some cash in the process.
The way Baltimore uses this extra cash remains to be seen, but it strengthens their resources as they prepare for a possible big move at the trade deadline.
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