Former MLB Executive Predicts Where Orioles Will Finish in AL East
In this story:
There are a lot of expectations placed upon this young Baltimore Orioles squad this season after putting together an incredible showing in 2023.
When they acquired former NL Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes in a trade, the view on what this team could accomplish only increased.
Winning an American League-most 101 games and the AL East division with a group centered around largely inexperienced players means the future is bright for the Orioles going forward.
But what does that mean in 2024?
For all intents and purposes, Baltimore should have another good year.
Burnes adds a major weapon to their rotation. Reigning AL Rookie of the Year winner Gunnar Henderson should improve in his second season. So should third-year player Adley Rutschman. The veterans on this team will be relied upon less as other talented prospects get cycled in.
That's why former MLB executive Jim Bowden is predicting that the Orioles will repeat as AL East winners.
The only concern he has about this thought is based on Kyle Bradish's elbow injury that will cause him to miss time at the beginning of the season.
If his UCL doesn't hold up, then Baltimore's ceiling is much lower.
However, he views their strong farm system as something that could potentially be used if that does happen, or even if general manager Mike Elias wants to become aggressive at the deadline to add more pieces.
Bowden also says that the addition of Craig Kimbrel to the back end of their bullpen is a huge plus while they wait for Felix Bautista to return from Tommy John surgery next season.
And, he's just as excited for Jackson Holliday as anybody, predicting he'll be a major component of this explosive lineup.
There are people out there who think the Orioles won't be able to repeat what they did in 2023.
Back-to-back 100 win seasons would spectacular, but they don't necessarily need that to become AL East champions once again.
