NL West News: Joe Saunders Traded To Orioles For Matt Lindstrom
By Hayden Kane
In a trade that will surely be overlooked in the midst of the mega-deal made by the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Arizona Diamondbacks sent left-handed starter Joe Saunders to the Baltimore Orioles for former Rockies reliever Matt Lindstrom and a player to be named later.
This deal involves two familiar faces for the Rockies. Most of the initial discussion of the trade has been focused on what this does to help the Orioles as they make a final push for the playoffs. With another former Rockie, Jason Hammel, and other starters on the shelf, this provides Baltimore with a battle tested veteran starter to hopefully lead the way. As far as the Rockies are concerned, this means there is one less soft-tossing left hander in the division which, for my money, is a good thing, even if Saunders has struggled this season.
What is getting overlooked is the Diamondbacks’ half of this deal, in which they require an electric back-of-the-bullpen guy in Lindstrom. Due to Hammel’s issues last year, I was more upset to part with Lindstrom in the ill-fated Jeremy Guthrie trade. I believe he continues to be undervalued because of some injury troubles and can definitely be a difference maker as Arizona tries to keep up with the Dodgers and Giants.
In any other season, a post-deadline deal like this one might garner more attention, but it is a mere blip on the transaction radar thanks to the high-rolling Los Angeles Dodgers.