Yennier Dark

 

Initially I thought the decision for the Orioles to trade Jorge Lopez, especially in a year where the team was rebuilding, was a little misguided. Yes, they could move beyond the need for people like Trey Mancini, Pablo Lopez and Tanner Scott, but it just seemed like a kneecapping of a bullpen that was getting better and better.

Only one piece of the Twins' return for Lopez has made the majors thus far, as he had MLB experience before the trade, and that is Yennier Cano. Cano, a Cuban defector who made his MLB debut at 28, gave up 14 runs with the Twins, and then 9 runs with the Orioles, over only 13 games. And yet in 16 games as an Oriole in 2023, Yennier Cano has given up...zero runs. 

16 games, 21 innings, 64 batters, 4 hits and a HBP. No walks. No runs. What in blazes?

I know I got mad at Brian Snikter last year for nominating Ryan Helsley for an ASG role despite him being essentially a nobody, but Yenier Cano may be pulling off one of the most incredible relief runs we've seen in a while. All this while the O's not only have bigger bullpen stars, like Felix Bautista, Bryan Baker and Mike Baumann, as well as huge performances from Adley Rutschman, Cedric Mullins and Jorge Mateo. I would not have guessed that somebody like Cano would have a bigger WAR after a month and a half than Mullins or Rutschman. But evidently not giving up any runs for 16 games makes you extremely valuable.

I have no idea how long the Yennier Cano untouchable train is gonna keep rolling for, but this is the sort of team that has enough great relievers to withstand a catastrophe. The funny thing about building a team for over a decade is that you figure out which great pieces to prioritize, and that includes bullpen guys. Baker, Bautista, Cionel Perez, Danny Coloumbe and, well, Cano aren't homegrown, but they've come up through this system and have been well-regarded enough to be in this position right now. This also explains the amount of rookie position players the O's have honed in the last few years, including some, like Ryan McKenna and Terrin Vavra, who are getting chances this year.

Somebody like Yennier Cano is one of the best things that could happen to this Orioles team as they come to prominence, and he's not the only feel good, out-of-nowhere guy on this team.

Coming Tomorrow- The A's should just change their slogan to 'What Oakland Makes, Miami Takes' at this point.