Former Exec Says Potential Orioles Target Most Likely To Get Traded

There might be no shortage of options for the Baltimore Orioles to get their ace after all. One former MLB executive thinks that one of their potential targets will get moved this offseason.

Will the Baltimore Orioles get their ace before the end of the offseason?

That's the question that many people around baseball are trying to figure out as they've been quiet on that front so far.

They addressed one of their needs within the bullpen after signing Craig Kimbrel to a short-term contract, but despite their affinity for Grayson Rodriguez and Kyle Bradish, it's clear the Orioles are still missing an ace.

Despite rumors they might have spent money to get this type of starting pitcher, that addition will most likely come via trade.

After the Tampa Bay Rays traded their ace Tyler Glasnow to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the starter's market for other teams could start heating up.

That is how Baltimore might be able to pounce.

Former MLB executive, Jim Bowden, has 2021 NL Cy Young winner and three-time All-Star, Corbin Burnes, as the pitcher most likely to be traded.

"Many in the industry initially believed would be traded this winter. Then the buzz was that the Brewers would not be moving Burnes in the short term. Then, during the Winter Meetings, some GMs thought the 2021 National League Cy Young winner would get traded if Milwaukee could get the right return," he wrote for The Athletic.

The last part about "the right return" screams Orioles.

They have the best farm system in the league full of young, controllable talent that the Milwaukee Brewers are looking for in return.

It's not surprising that Bowden links Baltimore and the Brewers in a trade either.

"The Brewers will be looking to land young controllable starting pitching in return, and they match up well with possible trade partners such as the Blue Jays, Orioles, Dodgers and Giants," he writes.

This would likely be a one-year rental for the Orioles since they probably won't offer Burnes what he will get on the open market after 2024.

However, this would be a "win now" move for a franchise that looks ready to make the next steps and are set up to make these types of moves without debilitating their future.