Baltimore Orioles Expected to Pursue Front Line Pitcher in Free Agency
There is a ton of buzz surrounding the Baltimore Orioles this winter as the hot stove begins to heat up.
The Orioles' payroll is essentially non-existent, allowing the 101-win team to pursue just about any free agent on the market.
According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, Orioles general manager Mike Elias told said Baltimore is likely to pursue a top of the rotation-type of arm.
One name that could be of particular interest to the Orioles is long-time Philadelphia Phillies ace Aaron Nola.
Nola and Blake Snell will headline the free agent class for starting pitchers and while Snell has a Cy Young to his name (and quite likely a second soon) Nola may make the most sense.
The righty has long been known as one of the most durable pitchers in the game, pitching over 160 innings in five of the last seven seasons not including the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
Nola also has some of the best raw stuff in the game and that same stuff continues to make him a perennial Cy Young contender. For a young team like the Orioles, having a veteran ace who has pitched in the biggest moments, such as the 2022 World Series, would be a huge boost for the younger guys in the rotation.
He is also the safer investment when it comes to injury history and sheer amount of innings pitched.
Baltimore could also turn to the trade market to add pitching. The Orioles currently have Austin Hays and Anthony Santander who are not only drawing trade interest, but are seen as excess to Baltimore with their logjam in the outfield.
The Orioles could trade MLB pieces to acquire a front line starter. How feasible that is remains another question entirely as almost all teams are looking to compete in 2024 with an expanded playoff format showing quite fruitful for teams who just squeak into the postseason.
Regardless, it will be one of the busiest and most exciting winters Baltimore has experienced in quite some time.
