Since Mike Elias took over as GM in Baltimore, there’s been a clear trend: he hasn’t forgotten the players he picked in Houston.
Shawn Dubin. Corbin Martin. Ramón Laureano. Tony Kemp. Brett Phillips. Daz Cameron. Thomas Eshelman. The list of former Astros players who have visited the Orioles is much longer than many remember. When Baltimore needed roster adjustments, depth, or a player who knew exactly what they were buying, Elias often returned to his roots.
And now, history has presented a familiar opportunity.
The Houston Astros just signed DFA J.P. France — one of the last draft picks under Mike Elias in Houston. Quiet. No fighting. Just a name dropped from the roster at a time when the Orioles were lacking something France did best: winning innings.
On the surface, France isn’t a name that excites fans. He’s had a right shoulder problem for some time. The “under-the-hood” stats for the 2023 rookie season weren’t impressive either: xERA 4.96, FIP 4.66, WHIP 1.357, only 6.7 K/9. Nothing to suggest a superior pitcher.
But baseball isn’t just about the stats.
In 2023, the Astros were ravaged by injuries during their rotation. The Rangers seemed on the verge of running away from AL West. And in that context, J.P. France—without the aura, without incredible velocity—kept Houston afloat. He pitched innings. He carried the load. He helped the Astros survive periods where the team just needed to “not collapse.”
That’s exactly what the Orioles lacked in 2025.
After Albert Suárez’s injury, Baltimore lacked a true swingman. In the first 40 games of the season, the Orioles starters failed to get past innings 17 times. The bullpen was stretched too thin, burned out too early, and by early May… ran out of steam. This is a rarely discussed issue, but its ripple effect is very real.
The Orioles hoped Suárez would return. But 2025 has proven that a competitive team can’t just hope.
And this is where J.P. France becomes interesting.
Currently, France is almost free. There are options. Salary under $1 million. No strings attached. No pressure. A deal in the style of Elias: low risk, a thorough understanding of the player, knowing where to use him.
More importantly: the bullpen role could “unlock” France.
His Stuff+ rating in 2023 was only 94 — below average. But data shows that when starters switch to bullpen, the average Stuff+ rating increases by about 5.5 points. That brings France closer to the league average. And unlike many pitchers who “go all-in,” France had a good command: Location + 103 — above average.
A pitcher with average stuff + good command + no need for 6–7 innings? That’s the recipe for an effective swingman.
Not closer. Not a setup man. But someone who comes in when things fall apart — something the Orioles lacked in their off-season.
Mike Elias understood J.P. France better than most other GMs. He knew the limits. He also knew the real value. And when a player like that falls into the hands of the market, it’s hard to believe Baltimore wouldn’t at least… look at him.
No big headlines. No “ace.” But sometimes, it’s these quiet pieces that prevent a season from slipping away.
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