This, that and the other

The Pirates traded starter Jameson Taillon to the Yankees yesterday, surrendering a pitcher who underwent two Tommy John surgeries after becoming the second-overall pick in the 2010 draft. They received four prospects in return.

There's a tie to the Orioles beyond his arrival in the American League East.

Pittsburgh's choice in the draft came down to Taillon or prep shortstop Manny Machado, with the Orioles selecting third. Scouting director Joe Jordan would have pounced on Taillon if the right-hander stayed on the board. Only 18 years old and possessing a 99 mph fastball.

The Orioles loved him.

Machado was no consolation prize. He became the better choice, and though the Orioles had to trade him in 2018 based on economics and their plunge into a rebuild - and the failure to extend him much earlier when he was affordable - they acquired starter Dean Kremer, outfield prospect Yusniel Diaz and infielder Rylan Bannon in a five-player package from the Dodgers.

Reliever Zach Pop was taken by the Diamondbacks in the Rule 5 draft and quickly traded to the Marlins, but he could return to the organization.

MLBPipeline.com rates Diaz as the Orioles' No. 8 prospect, Kremer at No. 10 and Bannon at No. 25. Baseball America has Diaz seventh and Kremer ninth.

I wrote after Machado's selection that he'd have to race Mychal Givens to the majors. They both made it, but Givens as a reliever.

Colleague Steve Melewski provided stats on Orioles minor league shortstops on the night of the draft:

Robert Andino, Norfolk: .229-6-29 in 55 games
Pedro Florimon, Bowie: .183-1-12 in 37 games, on DL
Carlos Rojas, Bowie: .291-0-6 in 13 games
Greg Miclat, Frederick: .325-0-11 in 34 games
Bobby Stevens, Frederick: .203-2-21 in 15 games
Michael Mooney, Frederick: .122-0-3 in 11 games
Garabez Rosa, Delmarva: .278-1-22 in 49 games
Mychal Givens, Delmarva: .222-0-4 in five games, on DL

No one was going to block Machado.

The Nationals selected Bryce Harper first, as everyone in the world anticipated. The drama was on deck. And I can't hear Taillon's name without thinking about the Orioles.

* The Orioles include Ehire Adrianza among the infielders who interest them while trying to replace José Iglesias, as I reported earlier this month.

He's still available and prepared to leave the Twins, according to a recent Instagram post.

Adrianza wrote: "From the bottom of my heart - THANK YOU! For welcoming me with open arms, for the four unforgettable and amazing seasons. Thanks to my family for the unwavering and continuous support. I'm forever grateful for my teammates, coaches, trainers, TWINS FANS and the front office for the trust, support and opportunity provided since day one."

Doesn't sound like a guy who expects to re-sign with the Twins.

A slow-moving free agent market includes Jonathan Villar and Freddy Galvis, also on the Orioles' radar. Daniel Robertson signed with the Brewers.

The Orioles might not get their shortstop until the pricier free agents are signed. Guys like Didi Gregorius, Marcus Semien and Andrelton Simmons need to get the dominos falling.

As I've written, the Orioles could obtain an infielder on a major league deal and another on a minor league contract.

* If anyone thought 2021 would be any less strange than 2020, consider how Delmon Young is now a pitcher in Australia.

Even typing that sentence makes me shake my head.

Young, 35, made his mound debut Saturday for the Melbourne Aces after 18 years in professional baseball and tossed a scoreless ninth, walking two batters and inducing a double play grounder.

The bat is still productive, with Young slashing .434/.466/.528 with five doubles and 13 RBIs in his first 16 games. But he hasn't been seen in the majors since appearing in 52 games with the Orioles in 2015.

He hasn't produced the loudest ovation in Camden Yards history since the 2014 American League Division Series.

Anyone need a closer?

* Ron Rizzi, a special assistant to Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, has left the organization to take a job with the Padres.

Rizzi worked in scouting for the Pirates, Brewers and Dodgers before landing in Washington. He's a frequent visitor to Camden Yards, scouting the Orioles and their opponents.

He also makes the rounds at the Orioles' minor league affiliates.

Rizzi, who is good friends with Padres general manager A.J. Preller, would have been a strong candidate to join the Orioles in the winter of 2018 if they hired Ned Colletti as GM.

Colletti was a finalist for the job that eventually went to Mike Elias.