They wanted the 76th overall pick the Orioles gave them in next month’s draft, and the additional $1 million in slotting money they picked up for getting that draft pick.
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The Braves also acquired veteran left-hander Brian Matusz, who was immediately designated for assignment.
So essentially, the Braves deemed the 76th pick and an extra $1 million to spend on draft picks worth $3 million and the Orioles didn’t.
The Orioles wanted to do whatever possible to get rid of Matusz. The 29-year-old southpaw has been awful this season, posting a 12.00 ERA in only six innings pitched over seven relief appearances. Matusz has been awful, and the Orioles went over-budget on this year’s team.
In eight seasons with Baltimore, Matusz compiled a 27-41 record with a 4.85 ERA in 279 games (68 starts).
In 2011, though, Matusz’s career hit a roadblock from which he never fully recovered. Matusz returned to make 16 mostly ineffective starts in 2012 but hasn’t started a game since. He has a 2.00 ERA, 40 strikeouts, and 12 walks in 45 innings this season. But his 2016 struggles backed the Orioles into a corner, and they sent him packing May 23.
Barker was a 16th-round draft pick from Mercer University in 2014. He led all Braves minor league starters with a 2.53 ERA in 2015, which he split between Class-A Danville and Class-A Rome. Belicek is considered a relief pitcher and has a 2.43 ERA in 26 minor league appearances.
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After seven seasons of stability with the Twins, Brian Duensing is finding the post-rookie-contract period of his career less comfortable.
