The Baltimore Orioles, a team that has seen a resurgence in recent seasons, still have critical gaps to address if they are to solidify themselves as consistent contenders in the American League. While the 2023 campaign marked a significant improvement in both their win total and overall competitiveness, the Orioles enter the 2024 offseason with clear objectives that, if left unfulfilled, could stymie their growth. These needs cover a range of areas, including pitching, depth on the roster, and addressing future concerns that could impact the team’s long-term success.
1. Pitching Depth
Perhaps the most glaring issue facing the Orioles is their starting pitching. While the team boasted a promising rotation in 2023, with standout performances from young arms like Grayson Rodriguez and Dean Kremer, there were also moments of inconsistency and injury concerns that left the rotation fragile at times. Furthermore, the bullpen, while solid overall, could use reinforcements to avoid overtaxing pitchers and to maintain competitive advantage over the course of a long season.
Starting Pitching
To compete with teams like the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, or even the up-and-coming teams in the AL East like the Toronto Blue Jays, the Orioles will need a more reliable rotation. The team has a number of exciting young pitchers in its system, but these players still need time to develop, and the club cannot afford to rely solely on their upside. The addition of a proven veteran or even a high-upside free agent who can contribute immediately should be a priority.
A name like Sonny Gray, fresh off a strong season with the Minnesota Twins, could be a viable option. Gray has demonstrated an ability to get outs in a variety of environments and could anchor the rotation while Rodriguez and Kremer continue their development. Alternatively, pursuing pitchers like Julio Teheran or Michael Wacha—veterans with experience who could provide stability—might be a way to mitigate the risk of relying on too many unproven pitchers.
Bullpen
The Orioles bullpen, though solid in 2023, is still a major point of concern. They were able to weather injuries to key players, but depth in the bullpen was tested often. Names like Félix Bautista were crucial to the team’s success, but a sustainable relief corps is paramount in today’s baseball climate, where bullpens play a larger role in determining a team’s overall success. With Bautista recovering from injury and the uncertainty surrounding some of the other key pieces in the pen, bolstering this area should remain a high priority. This could involve adding another high-leverage arm through free agency or a trade.
2. Addressing Offensive Depth
The Orioles lineup, which showed significant promise in 2023, will require reinforcement to ensure that they can compete with other powerhouses in the AL East. Though players like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Ryan Mountcastle give the Orioles a strong core, there are still glaring holes on offense that need to be addressed if they want to elevate their chances of postseason success.
Outfield
The outfield has been a problematic area for Baltimore in recent seasons. While Austin Hays and Anthony Santander have been solid contributors, the team lacks a true superstar presence in the outfield to complement their existing hitters. The Orioles may want to pursue an upgrade at one of the corner outfield spots to add another potent bat to their lineup. A name like Teoscar Hernández—a powerful bat with the ability to play right field—could fit the bill. Hernández is the type of hitter who can deliver consistent power numbers and add balance to the lineup.
Shortstop
While Gunnar Henderson has transitioned into a productive young player, and while the team is confident in his long-term success at third base, the shortstop position could use additional clarity. Although Jorge Mateo’s glove has been a plus, his bat has consistently lagged behind. The Orioles could look into a trade or free-agent signing that could push Mateo into a more suitable utility role or even allow for a competition at the position. A shortstop like Carlos Correa or even someone like Zach Neto from the trade market could provide both stability and production to this critical position.
DH/Bench Help
Another area for the Orioles to consider is bolstering their designated hitter (DH) spot. While Mountcastle and other players can rotate through the DH spot from time to time, a more permanent fixture there could add more power and depth to the lineup. A free-agent option like J.D. Martinez, who is nearing the end of his career but still possesses significant power, could offer the team an opportunity to lengthen its lineup and give some protection to Rutschman and Henderson.
3. Defensive Adjustments
While the Orioles have been generally solid defensively in recent seasons, improvements on the defensive side of the ball will continue to be necessary to prevent opponents from exploiting weaknesses. Baltimore will need to focus on improving at several spots where they’ve been below-average in defensive metrics.
Infield Defense
One of the most notable areas for improvement would be infield defense. While the team is hopeful about the potential of their young players like Henderson and Mountcastle, they may need to look at ways to improve their fielding consistency. The addition of a veteran infielder known for his glove—perhaps even at shortstop—would create stability up the middle and provide a more complete defense overall.
4. Long-Term Financial Flexibility
The Orioles have the financial capacity to be aggressive in the trade market and with free-agent signings, but it’s critical that they don’t mortgage their future for short-term gains. The team has been careful with its spending in recent years, and this cautious approach has allowed them to build a solid foundation.
However, the key to success will be finding a balance between aggressive spending and maintaining financial flexibility for future years. They need to focus on making strategic investments in the coming offseason, while also keeping an eye on extending key players like Rutschman, Henderson, and Mountcastle in the coming seasons. These players are expected to be cornerstones for the future of the team, so locking them up long term is a necessary consideration.
5. Team Chemistry and Development
The Orioles’ success over the past two seasons has also been due to the camaraderie and chemistry within the clubhouse. Maintaining this environment is critical, as the team’s cohesion can be as important as any roster move. While the roster could see new faces in free agency and trade acquisitions, it’s essential that the Orioles continue to foster a winning culture where young players are developed to their full potential.
The development of young stars like Rodriguez, Henderson, and Rutschman is key not only to the team’s future success but also to their financial flexibility. By allowing these young players to grow within the system, the Orioles can avoid overpaying in free agency while still constructing a competitive roster.
