The Orioles are signing right-hander Felix Hernandez to a minor league contract, Jon Heyman of MLB Network tweets. Hernandez will earn a $1MM salary if he gets to the majors.
Hernandez is now the most accomplished of the Orioles’ pitchers, having earned six All-Star nods and won an American League Cy Young with the Mariners from 2005-19. However, King Felix’s production waned during his last few years as a Mariner, leading the team to cut ties with him.
Hernandez signed a minors pact with the Braves going into the 2020 campaign, and he looked like a realistic rotation candidate for the club, but he wound up opting out because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But Hernandez could now stand an even better chance to grab a spot in the Orioles’ starting staff. The O’s “ace” is John Means, who put up a 4.53 ERA a season ago.
Angels are getting on the phone in 3…2…1…
Seattle picks up Anaheim’s cast-offs, not the other way around.
And the Angels take the Orioles’ washed up arms. It’s the circle of trash.
Yeah Bundy was certainly washed up.
He was with the Orioles. That is sort of the point.
Maybe it’s the orioles, not the pitchers who are washed up
He was hurt for one, next came out of high school. Tommy John once or twice? He didn’t do bad for us, took Buds a few yrs. That’s all the Orioles ever had last few years. Pitchers ERA would be 4.50 or higher. Lol he’s not gonna make no difference. A low end kinda think it’s gonna work, that won’t work kinda think? Probably!
Bundy only pitched against 6 different teams last year (AZ, SF, OAK lit him up too), he’s still a 5th SP at best.
This is a great series of burns, circle of trash made me laugh.
We get their arms, they get our 26th rated farm.
Lighten up, people. Baseball is supposed to be fun
this article is about Felix not Bundy. Good low risk signing for the Orioles
Strike Four comes back as Marty McRae. Circle of trash!
Y’all are crazy
Bundy also moved from one of the worst pitcher parks in MLB to one of the friendliest.
Have not seen you on SOR for awhile
But you are wrong. Bundy’s short-season numbers look better than ever in Anaheim, but he pitched well for multiple seasons in Baltimore.
Are you saying that Anaheim will want to try to trade for Felix Hernandez?
A) If LAA wants him so badly, why wouldn’t they have just signed him to a minor or major league contract before today?
B). I know for MLB deals, a signed free agent cannot be traded before June 15th or something. Is it the same deal for MiLB deals?
WHOOSH
LOL!
100% chance that King Felix will put on an Angels uniform in July.
Are you saying that WorstThrowEver’s comment means that the Angels will trade for Felix Hernandez at the trade deadline?
OK, well the July 31st trade deadline is almost 6 months from now. Seems weird to do a countdown “3…2…1…”
100% huh? Can I borrow ur crystal ball? I say 1% chance, I’d win that bet, and at 100 to 1… Wow!
SwingtheFNbat:
Yeah, I agree, not sure why you are responding to me though.
Frankly, I don’t understand what’s going on in these comments. Is it inevitable that Felix Hernandez gets traded to Anaheim? No. Is it somehow humorous to suggest that? Also no.
@truthlemonade
I don’t think he was responding to you directly, it just happens to be the order that posts are seen and there is nothing that automatically indicates you are replying to a specific comment.
mstrchef13 :
I received an email notification that he was responding to me.
…that may have seemed perfectly cromulent to you at the time.
Hey batter batter swing and a miss.
Felix will probably opt out again. Just like last year.
Oh king Felix. Stap. Pls.
The King rises!!
Episode III: Return Of The King
Not in AL East. I’m hoping he does well, to be flipped at the deadline, but not seeing it in the AL East.
as opposed to the NL East or the NL West? cmon. every division has tough opponents and someone trying to rebuild their value probably isnt playing for the best team in said division anyway so they will probably face better offenses.
I was thinking the ballparks in the AL East would probably not play well with his style.
The AL East this year is pretty much all offense no pitching. All 5 teams have huge question marks all through their starting rotations, but most of them (especially the Yankees and Jays) can mash the ball.
Nah, he will just opt out again and leave his team in a lurch.
Any team relying on him is worse than being in the lurch anyway.
That is a pretty accurate description of the O’s.
yeah cause opting out due to health concerns makes him a bad person?? IDIOT !!!!
You tell him RANDY!!!! Yeeee haaaawwwww we ain’t got no f’n microphone!!
It would have been a terrible idea for him to not opt out. Don’t blame him a bit.
When you love the game…. playing is the only thing that matters.. good luck King
thank god for mike elias
When all is said and done he’ll look very good, but this deal is inconsequential.
Ooo, I could’ve never imagined the King as an O, but this is an oddly good fit. Let’s hope he shows the same promise he did last Spring.
It’s a good fit. I wouldn’t consider it odd. Orioles were his real shot at breaking a rotation, and they need the arms.
Probably be a Yankee by the deadline
Doubtful. Dude’s done.
He’s WAAAAYYY done bro. He final appearance as a Mariner was his last breath and it was only a league average start.
I doubt it kelling. He was going to be in the Braves starting rotation.
His last two years in Seattle, the wheels fell off. We’ll see if he can recover, but I’m gonna say no.
Only reason he was going to start for Atlanta was all of pitchers fell apart. I do want to see him pitch though! Honestly hope he makes a comeback.
Felix has been a great and very loyal Mariner for years. I am wishing him well.
2017 shoulder injury that seems to have plagued his ability. Shoulder injuries can do that to a career. Pedro Martinez, Carlos Martinez, Mark Mulder, Michael Wacha, Jaime Garcia, Johan Santana, and Felix Hernandez are all pitchers who had them. He might have something left, but like many he might be done. Had he been able to pitch till 40 he more than likely makes the hall.
Probably be DFA long before then. Ahahaha!
I would love to see this guy back in the majors at some point. He was fun to watch
As a Mariners fan, Felix has been done since around 2016-2017. Sad to watch such a fall from grace. Kinda reminds me of Timmy Lincecum.
Guys named Timmy will never age well, but a King Felix is a name that was supposed to stand the test of time like few others.
Perhaps he’s an imposter?
Lincecum didnt last nearly as long. Felix had a long productive phase. We’ll forget the later days and remember the good ones eventually.
I’m just trying to imagine how bad he’d have to be this spring NOT to crack the BAL rotation. In fact he could probably even be their 3 if he decided to pitch lefty.
BAL has a solid 1-2 in Means and Kremer, and Akin is serviceable. Our projected #4 is Jorge Lopez sooooo……..he’ll make it at least until Lowther and Baumann are ready.
Great pickup for my Orioles. Low risk with some upside. Possible a trade chip at the deadline.He definitely is going to eat up some innings. Should be a good clubhouse leader. I think he is out to prove the naysayers.
If he can get out of the first inning. Always tough for him in later years.
Him and LeBlanc are great guys to help teach Akin/Kremer/Zimmermann/Lowther/Wells and others transition to Major League life. One former star and a guy who’s been able to crack rosters despite no velo
Wow. Not the best fit IMO. I thought maybe the Marlins or at least a club in the NL.
Beyond washed up
I was hoping the Sox took a chance on him.
It looks like someone’s going to have to rip the uniform off of King Felix. Then again, he’s not all that old. I hope he makes it back to the majors.
Cheap shot at Means. Finished second in the Rookie of the Year vote in 2019 with a 3.60 ERA. Last year started hurt and missed time with the death of his father. His last 4 starts his ERA was 1.53 over 23 2/3 innings. Not a great pitcher , but certainly solid. No need to mock Means
Agree geotheo. Means is very solid and dependable. 2021 he will come out throwing to prove the 1st half of last season was a fluke.
i mean he’a still probably the worst “ace” in baseball if you consider each team to have one. not a knock on him as much the overall quality of their SP options.
Worst “ace” in baseball? I’ll give him the ball over whoever the Pirates or Rangers throw out there on opening day. Haha
Glad u pointed that out. Means has been very good outside of a season marred by death of father and pandemic. Once he got on track he looked like 2019.
So you mean he looked good in 2019…because that’s all there is outside of 2020.
He’s a fine middle of the rotation pitcher for now, but if he’s your best pitcher, your team probably needs pitching…which the O’s do. I don’t understand the problem with the statement.
He was a rookie in 2019 so outside of a short period where he was grieving his father and facing the uncertainty of a pandemic, he has pitched like an Ace. Not just good for Baltimore.
There’s a very long list of pitchers who were good in their rookie year and never again once the league figures them out, though. He’ll have to prove himself.
The “ace” comment pointed out his 4.53 ERA in 2020. In only 10 starts in a truncated season. The previous year he was 12-11 with a 3.60 ERA, made the All-Star team ( in fairness someone had to from the Orioles) and finished 2nd in ROY voting. His performance in 2019 is more representative of his ability than an injury plagued short season which was interrupted by the death of his father. It’s not Means fault that he is the best pitcher on a rebuilding team with no veteran starters. Going 12-11 with a sub-4 ERA on a 54-108 team, playing half your games in Camden Yards is nothing to sneeze at. Will Means continue to pitch like he did in 2019 or was he a flash in the pan? Who knows, but the “ace” scare quotes were an unnecessary cheap shot at Means based on a truncated, injury plagued season dealing with a personal tragedy
I’ve seen worse cheap shots. He’s not an ace outside of Baltimore.
The orioles “ace”. Jeez. What did John Means ever do to you?
Put up a 4.53 ERA in 2020
I’ll see your 4.53 ERA and raise you a 0.985 WHIP. Dude can pitch. Watch his vids. He’s upped his velo to sitting 95-96 last year, sick curve and change.
In MLBTR’s defense, the quotations are understandable too given Cobb was just traded.
Lincecum 2.0 Felix is going to be tossing that bp fastball to the Yankees and Blue Jays line ups! Good luck King 2010 was a long long time ago
Always liked the King. Hope he shows enough to get flipped at the deadline.
If the O’s aren’t in a playoff push, I mean.
That is funny, “If the O’s aren’t in a playoff push”. Lmao
They had to sign him to a Minors deal because they have serious 40-man issues. Just like other successful teams last year like the Red Sox, Tigers, Pirates, Rangers, et al.
I don’t know,if they are pushing for a playoff spot it might mean they have too many excellent pitchers and they could need to trade one for some extra defensive help. Obviously every team in the league is going to envy their roster full of winners and could desire some of its pitching enough to send a blue chip prospect or two. And then they will wake up in 3, 2, 1…
King Felix gonna start opening day for the O’s and I’m here for it
I really hope he can find it in black n’ orange. I do. But he just doesn’t have that blazing Sinker anymore to counter his super-slow Change. Their speeds are similar, thus hitters waiting licking their lips. I wonder if he would ever consider re-inventing himself as a Knuckler. Hit ’em with something so slow it can’t be clocked, then throw that Sinker.
Or learn how to throw a slower change up. Very few guys can throw a knuckler. Doubt the king can just develop one overnight.
His super slow change? A pitch he never had? The issue with this change up is it wasn’t slow at all. It was only a few mph off his fastball and then when the velo went away, that nasty dropping change didn’t work anymore.
Didnt realize he accumulated a surprising 50war in his career. Was disappointed he opted out last year with the Braves.
That’s what happens when you toss late games in the Pacific Northwest. People don’t notice.
It’s not surprising if you actually pay attention to baseball
OT but I what world is yas better than conforto???
Connor, please keep your opinion to yourself. I’m fed up reading your attempts to throw shades on players/teams/situation in your articles, it’s not professional. I’m here to read a rational article and if I want subjectivity, I will go in my own thoughts or in the comments section.
I thought it was pretty funny that he put ace in quotation marks. And he is correct, as John Means would not be an ace on any team outside of the Orioles.
Maybe the Tigers.
Once again, in his defense, the quotations are understandable too given Cobb was just traded.
Alex Cobb was the Orioles ace? 7-22 over the last 3 years with a 5.01ERA. Even with Cobb, Means was their ace
True. Looking at both careers in their entirety it was a toss-up honestly.
Meh he’ll probably do decent nothing major to be expected
So it’s come to this….ugh
Felix threw the ball well for ATL last spring — not to say it means much, but it’s something. Hopefully he can etch out a spot in Baltimore’s rotation.
Felix looked good for Atlanta last spring, could be a very good signing for the Orioles
Of course it’s a minor league deal…he signed with the Baltimore Orioles.
Good for King Felix! Hopefully he can regain some sort of form after a year hiatus. His 2010 campaign is still to this day one of the best seasons I’ve ever seen of any pitcher!
This is the equivalent of having one foot out the door.
I thought he retired……
The O’s ace is John means… I assure you most fans didn’t know that or even know who he is lol
1 time All Star John Means! If you don’t know who he is; you ought to get familiar. He’s a legitimate big league starter. Not an “ace” but very few teams have one of those. Would be a solid #3 on any number of teams.
Baltimore is quite literally the worst landing spot for Felix one could imagine. Camden Yards is a bandbox, as are most of the parks in the AL East (Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Rogers Centre.) He’ll be facing some big bats in the division for about half of his starts. The Orioles will not be putting a competitive lineup on the field, either at the plate or, more importantly, in the field. I can’t imagine that Felix didn’t have any other offers on the table, unless the fact that he opted out last year turned off a lot of teams (especially because he had some serious attitude issues at the end of his Mariners tenure.) Over/under on his ERA by June 1: 5.60.
to be fair, there cant be more then about a half dozen teams without 5 clear better options. Baltimore is one where there are spot(s) to be had
Spots on spots.
A MILLION bucks.
The Trop pretty much plays like a band box as well.
He never had any attitude problems with the Mariners. Stop speaking out of your ass
A win for both parties. If Hernandez pitches decently, he’ll likely get flipped to a contender and have a chance to pitch in the postseason, which is something he’s never done. And the Orioles would get younger talent in return. The Orioles did pretty well with the talent they acquired last year in their trades, especially considering the players they traded away.
I used to hate facing this guy with his stupid little kings court at Safeco. Great pitcher in his day though. Still young enough to reinvent himself.
He’s thrown a LOT of pitches and been around from a young age.
Shame he didn’t resign with the Braves, he looked sharp in Spring Training last year.
I was kinda shocked he opted out, considering he needed to prove anything was left. He’s basically missed an entire season now. Maybe he thought the extended rest would help/working out.
King Felix is a big name and a star but in the last 3 years he’s only played 2 and he was below replacement level each of those years. Hasn’t been particularly good in 5 years. Very likely never even pitches another inning in the majors. Don’t start planning trading him at the deadline quite yet.
He’s gonna get SHELLED @ Camden.
Love this signing. He looked solid in braves spring training. I would rather sign 7 Felix types than 1 Archer Arieta etc. Like my odds of signing 3 or 4 of these types then paying for 1 5 to 10 million guys who’s upside is a #4 starter.
But Felix’s upside stopped being that 4 years ago.
His walks and hrs hurt him. But stuff wise he was that guy in 2017 2018. He is most likely a 6th or a orioles 5. But a minor league contract why the heck not. Big name, lil bit interesting. Maybe some younger pitchers learn something from him.
He definitely can help the younger pictures. He turned Jason Vargas’ career around
Best of luck Felix. I was hoping for a Felix Paxton Sheffield walker marco rotation for 2021 but my dreams are dashed
With a side of hisashi iwakuma
Even though your dream had a guaranteed 0% chance?
Guaranteed top starter for the team and will get traded to a contender for sure at play off time if heplays half way decent
I saw that he signed with the O’s and my first reaction was nooooo!!! Father Time has not been kind to this man. If he wants to continue to make it in this league he has to turn into a pitcher as the body isn’t allowing him to be a thrower anymore. Always liked Felix. Hope he rebounds enough to get away from the trashbirds.
Long live the king.
Seattle is one of the most pitcher friendly stadiums in baseball. If you cannot succeed there then he has no chance in the A.L. east. He will get absolutely embarassed. Time to hang it up Felix. You had a great career.