Baltimore announced it’s passing on a $3.5 million club option for left‑hander Dietrich Enns, handing him a $125K buyout. Did the team make the right call?
The decision was inevitable after Enns contributed little in 2026. He missed most of April with a foot infection, then logged nine outings in May. While his 3.94 ERA over 16 innings looked decent, it was paired with 11 walks and 13 strikeouts. The club designated him for assignment, outrighted him in late May and never recalled him. He finished the Triple‑A season with Norfolk, posting a 5.80 ERA over 54 1/3 innings.
After a year and a bit in Baltimore—acquired from Detroit before the 2025 deadline—Enns showed flashes. He posted a 3.14 ERA with 34 strikeouts and 11 walks in 28 2/3 innings late last season. The Orioles then locked him up for $2.625 million in November, but the 35‑year‑old is back on the market a year later. In my view, he still offers upside if used correctly.
A former Twin and Ray, Enns carries a 3.86 ERA across 88 2/3 major‑league innings, with a 23.5% strikeout rate and an 8.7% walk rate. Left‑handed hitters have punished him, posting a .324/.374/.505 line, while righties have managed only .223/.291/.341 against him.