Gunnar Henderson's 2025 Season: A Tale of Two Halves
It's a familiar story: a young star faces the pressure of the big leagues. For Gunnar Henderson, his third full Major League season was a success, hitting .274/.349/.438 with 17 home runs. This performance, marked by a 120 wRC+ and 4.8 fWAR, mirrored his 2023 season, which earned him the AL Rookie of the Year award. But here's where it gets interesting: Henderson's numbers took a dip from his stellar 2024 season, where he achieved a 154 wRC+ and 7.9 fWAR.
What happened?
Henderson revealed he played through a shoulder impingement for most of the year. He mentioned that it affected his ability to leverage the ball effectively. Despite this, he managed to put up solid numbers, playing in 154 out of 155 games after returning from the IL.
With Henderson anticipating a healthy 2026, the shoulder issue can be seen as a footnote in a season that was otherwise successful. The return of the 2024 version of Henderson could significantly aid the Orioles' quest for playoff contention after a disappointing 75-win season.
Framber Valdez: The One That Got Away?
Imagine the boost the Orioles could get with Framber Valdez in their rotation. The team has been linked to the free agent southpaw. However, this isn't the first time Baltimore has sought Valdez. Back in 2017, the Orioles were on the verge of acquiring Valdez in a trade with the Astros for Zack Britton. The deal fell apart at the last minute due to medical concerns about two players involved.
The Astros were offering Valdez (then a Double-A prospect), J.D. Davis, Jason Martin, and Rogelio Armenteros for Britton. At the time, Britton was arguably the best closer in baseball.
The Medical Factor and What Could Have Been
Former Orioles owner Peter Angelos was known for his caution regarding pitcher health. The Orioles' concern was primarily with Armenteros, whose MLB career consisted of only five appearances. He missed the entire 2020 season due to elbow surgery. While the Orioles' caution was understandable, Armenteros ended up being the least accomplished of the players Houston offered.
Davis became a productive infielder after the Astros traded him to the Mets. Martin was part of the trade that sent Gerrit Cole to the Astros. The Astros won the 2017 World Series without Britton, and Valdez became a key part of their success.
A Look Back: What If?
It's worth noting that Valdez's development might have been different in Baltimore. The 2017 season marked the beginning of a rebuilding phase for the Orioles. Having Valdez and Davis could have altered the team's trajectory.
What do you think? Was the Orioles' caution justified, or did they miss out on a future star? Would Valdez and Davis have changed the Orioles' fortunes? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
