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All of the talk surrounding the Orioles this offseason has pertained to their pitching pursuits. The only significant bit of business the team has gotten done to this point is the signing of
All of the talk surrounding the Orioles this offseason has pertained to their pitching pursuits. The only significant bit of business the team has gotten done to this point is the signing of Craig Kimbrel to fill the Félix Bautista-sized hole at the back of the bullpen. And while the rotation is yet to receive a needed upgrade, rumors have swirled for months that the O’s are “in” on trade talks for Dylan Cease and a few other notable names.
This is all part of the master plan. The gap in overall talent between the hitters and pitchers in the Orioles’ organization has been building for years. It seemed only natural that, at some point, GM Mike Elias would flip a few of his young position players for a big arm. Pulling the trigger on that type of move after a 101-win campaign feels like good timing. So while we should stop short of calling it an inevitability, it does feel like it will happen at some point before Opening Day.
Meanwhile, there has been virtually no discussion around the Orioles’ lineup. No free agent rumors. No exciting trade talks. Nothing. In general, the O’s seem ready to run things back again with—more or less—the same group from a season ago.
In general, this speaks to the roster continuity that comes with trotting out a relatively young (and also very good!) roster the season prior. Adam Frazier and Aaron Hicks are the only two key contributors from the 2023 squad that are no longer on their 40-man roster. The core of the everyday crew remains intact.
That includes an experienced outfield that many speculated could see some changes this winter. The trio of Anthony Santander, Cedric Mullins, and Austin Hays are the most prominent veteran leaders on this Orioles team. They are also due to be the highest paid as each of them receives a well-deserved raise this year thanks to arbitration.
There is no doubt that each of them provides value to this Orioles team, and you would feel plenty confident in bringing them back as starters in 2024. At the same time, there are also reasons to make a move
