Baltimore Orioles Predicted to Be in Mix for Free Agent Ace
The Baltimore Orioles may be the one team to watch this winter as they "go big" for it in both the free agent and trade market. It's an exciting time for a young team and their fanbase as they gear up for another postseason run come 2024.
But to do so they will need reinforcements, especially to the rotation who lost two of its veterans to free agency in Kyle Gibson and the trade deadline acquisition Jack Flaherty to free agency.
A veteran ace to lead the young crew is exactly what this franchise should invest its money in if it intends to try for a repeat of its 2023 win total of 101.
One name The Athletic predicted Baltimore would be in on is Jordan Montgomery.
The veteran hurler is coming off of a postseason run that led the Texas Rangers to their first franchise World Series championship. During that run, Montgomery compiled a 2.79 ERA in 11 starts. As for the regular season, posted a 3.20 ERA and 1.193 WHIP in 188.2 innings pitched between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Rangers.
The same article postulates that Montgomery could earn a five-year, $127 million contract. It's a fair price for a pitcher with his stuff, leadership ability and age.
It would also make Montgomery the highest paid player on the roster. . . by a factor of two. But that is the cost of doing business and winning a World Series in this generation of MLB.
Take the Texas Rangers as a blueprint. They produced elite homegrown talent and infused it with high-dollar free agents. That won them a World Series and the incredible financial windfall that comes with it.
Baltimore very well may have to take the same route. The Orioles could do a lot worse than starting with Montgomery as a cornerstone of that process.
