MLB Hot Stove Morning Brew: Orioles need starting pitching, veteran free agent options available
The Orioles had a spectacular season, winning 101 games and the American League East. Baltimore’s postseason run ended in the Divisional Series, however, the young and exciting O’s are in a prime position to build off their 2023 success.
The Orioles are going to need to add to their starting rotation. They acquired right-hander Jack Flaherty from the Cardinals at the trade deadline but he will become a free agent this winter.
One name already connected to the Orioles is veteran righty Sonny Gray.
The former Twins starter is coming off a great season where he went 8-8 posting 2.79 ERA and 1.147 WHIP in 184 innings over 32 starts. He was ranked second in the American League and third in baseball in the league.
If the Orioles are going to land Gray, they will need to open their checkbook. The New York Post projects Gray to land a three-year, $66 million deal in free agency.
Orioles vice president and general manager Mike Elias has pursued players within that price range in the past. He was involved in the pursuit for Nathan Eovaldi, who ultimately signed with the eventual World Series champion Rangers.
“I look at everything on a case-by-case basis," said Elias. "There are players and trade targets that we have pursued in the last 12 months that we didn’t get that were in the (salary) ranges that you are alluding to. Those pursuits will be on the menu again. We are trying to win.
“Obviously, a part of that doesn’t mean you have to do them any given year. But we will be talking about them and doing what we have to do to have another great season and an even better season. And then also seasons and seasons after that.”
Baltimore has young talented pitchers in Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells, Dean Kremer and Grayson Rodriguez. Adding Gray would give the Orioles a veteran starter they could place at the top of their rotation. If they want to look at the impact Eovaldi made on the Rangers last season, Gray could be the Orioles version of the two-time World Series champion and build a stellar rotation for the postseason.
If the Orioles elect to look elsewhere, Elias could pursue former pitching prospect Eduardo Rodríguez.
The left-hander became a free agent on Saturday after option out of the final $49 million deal. He finished the 2023 season with a 13-9 record and 3.30 ERA. Rodríguez held opposing batters to a .227 batting average, posted a 1.15 WHOP and had 143 strikeouts versus 28 walks.
The Dodgers tried to acquire the southpaw at the trade deadline but he vetoed the trade. Rodríguez cited family reasons for not going to Los Angeles in the deal.
Rodríguez came up in the Orioles system and was traded to the Red Sox for Andrew Miller during the 2014 season. If the Orioles are going to pursue Rodríguez, it will also cost them and potentially more than Gray.
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