Former Mets GM Jim Duquette joined the hosts of the ‘Foul Territory’ podcast to discuss several topics gaining traction this offseason, including his blunt take on the future of Orioles star shortstop Gunnar Henderson.
Reflecting on Henderson’s production over the past two seasons, Duquette said he believed the 25-year-old would bounce back from his offensive slump. The American broadcaster also offered a straightforward solution to Henderson’s strikeout and swing struggles, pointing to the hitting programs used by Pete Alonso and J.D. Martinez.
“I don’t believe that you’re gonna trade Gunnar at this point. He’s coming off of two below-average seasons. And I think you put him on, and I’ve already talked to people around him. You put him on the Pete Alonso and J.D. Martinez hitting program. Gunnar’s gonna come back and be the player that he was a couple of years ago. Like, he’s too talented to not,” Duquette said.
“I think he just got wrapped up in trying to swing for home runs last year. And he was under almost everything and a ton of strikeouts, as we saw. But I think, you know, and then he just kind of looked like he got in his own head. So for me, Gunnar, you’re just not gonna move him because I don’t think you’d be missing out on the upside of him,” he added.
Watch the video here:
Henderson finished the campaign batting .225, with 24 home runs, 60 RBIs, and a .715 OPS, appearing in all but four regular-season games. The Orioles finished fourth in the AL East with a 79-82 record and missed the postseason in a competitive division in which the Rays, Yankees, and Red Sox all made the playoffs.
Orioles Insider Believes a Gunnar Henderson Trade is Unlikely This Offseason
According to Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner, the Birds from Camden Yards are open to trade proposals for nearly every player on the roster, except All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso. Could that mean the 2023 AL Rookie of the Year might also be traded this offseason? Kostka says that’s unlikely.
“Sources noted that a trade involving shortstop Gunnar Henderson isn’t likely and would cost a steep returning price to Baltimore, but at this point, the Orioles are keeping their options open on all fronts,” Kostka wrote.
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For now, Henderson is under team control for two more years and has not formally requested a trade this offseason.
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