Baltimore Orioles Making Strong Push for All-Star Reliever
The main focus of this offseason for the Baltimore Orioles is pitching. They already have a terrific young group of position players in place, but they could really use a top-end starting pitcher and a proven closer if they want to compete for a championship in 2024.
Fortunately for the Orioles, this is a good winter to be in the market for arms. With several aces and stud relievers available on the market, Baltimore's GM Mike Elias has plenty of options to choose from as he looks to upgrade his team's pitching staff.
According to a report from MLB insider Joel Sherman early on Wednesday morning, the Orioles appear to be zeroing in on a top closer.
Sherman reports that Baltimore has been "seriously engaged" with free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel.
He would make a lot of sense for the Orioles' bullpen, especially on a one-year deal. Baltimore needs a closer for 2024 after losing Felix Bautista to Tommy John surgery, and Kimbrel would certainly fit the bill.
A nine-time All-Star, the right-handed veteran is one of the best closers in baseball. He's coming off a strong 2023 campaign with the Philadelphia Phillies where he compiled 23 saves, a 3.26 ERA and 94 strikeouts across 69 innings.
Even heading into his age-36 season, Kimbrel hasn't shown many signs of slowing down. He's also a World Series champion and has plenty of postseason experience, even if his playoff performance (0-3, 4.50 ERA) has been lacking.
With Kimbrel likely to get a one-year deal, he could be the perfect stopgap for the Orioles while they wait for Bautista to return in 2025. They could also use him to set up Yennier Cano -- who took over for the injured Bautista -- if they're so inclined.
Regardless of how Kimbrel gets deployed, he could give Baltimore's relief corps a significant boost next year.
