Orioles' Potential Rotation Option Agrees to Shocking Deal With Texas Rangers
There are a lot of expectations placed on this Baltimore Orioles group heading into the upcoming season.
A 100-win year and AL East title will do that.
Combine those achievements with the fact the Orioles are a super young and talented team, then the most excitement for this franchise in their modern era is created.
That enthusiasm was quelled a little bit by the injury news to Kyle Bradish and John Means when it was revealed they'd miss an early portion of the season as they recover from their elbow issues.
But with Corbin Burns at the top of their rotation followed by Grayson Rodriguez, who could be in for a monster year, this pitching staff looks poised to keep pace with an offense that should be electric based on their Spring Training performances.
Still, the front office needs to be prepared in case more time is missed by Bradish and Means, or if other injuries pop up.
There was some thought that Baltimore might look to add another option for the back end of their rotation prior to the regular season starting.
Michael Lorenzen seemed to be the obvious choice as the 2023 All-Star fits the player profile that general manager Mike Elias has signed in the past.
However, the Orioles missed their chance after Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the right-hander agreed to a one-year deal with the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers.
As if their potential target going to the team who eliminated them from the playoffs last season didn't hurt enough, the price tag that Lorenzen agreed to is more salt in the wound.
Rosenthal says it's a $4.5 million deal with $2.5 million in incentives that would bring the total compensation up to $7 million if everything is reached.
That is certainly in the range that Baltimore could afford.
The Orioles must have confidence Bradish's injury won't be an issue throughout the remainder of the season and Means will return to form when he's back.
Other options are also available in Triple-A in case that doesn't happen, but for this type of deal, it's surprising Baltimore wasn't more aggressive to get something done.
