Baltimore Orioles: 3 predictions for the Orioles midway into the offseason

As 2015 comes to an end, the Baltimore Orioles still have several offseason goals to achieve for the 2016 season.

With 50 days until the Orioles pitchers and catchers arrive at Ed Stadium for spring training, the Orioles still have a long list of priorities they want to carry out this offseason.  Despite the Orioles not making any big splash yet this offseason, there’s still several free agents the Orioles can acquire to enhance their final 25-man roster for the upcoming season.

So far this offseason, the O’s have retained Darren O’Day and Matt Wieters.  O’Day signed a four-year, $31 million deal and Wieters accepted the O’s qualifying offer to stay an Oriole for one more year.  The Orioles completed an early offseason acquisition by trading catcher Steve Clevenger to Seattle in exchange for Mark Trumbo and left-hander C.J.Riefenhauser. Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette recently inked the South Korean native, Hyun-soo Kim, to a two-year $7 million deal.  Kim produced striking numbers last season in the Korean Baseball Organization by hitting .326 with 28 home runs and 121 RBI’s with the Doosan Bears.

The leading story for not just the Orioles, but for the MLB is the ongoing dialogue between Chris Davis and the O’s.  Many reports surfaced that the Orioles offered Davis seven-year, around $150 million deal.  After about a week, the sides failed to reach an agreement on a deal and Duquette proclaimed that the offer to Davis is no longer on the table.  Also, Duquette stated there were no intentions to reopen negotiations.  Davis’ agent, Scott Boras countered by saying discussions were still transpiring with the Orioles, along with different teams.

When the offseason began, I gave my 5 bold predictions for the Orioles offseason.  So far, my prediction on Matt Wieters leaving the Orioles and signing with the Nationals is my only error.  As the O’s offseason picture becomes clear, here is my updated offseason predictions for the O’s at the midway point:

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1. Chris Davis will return to the Orioles

Negotiating with an agent like Boras is not a simple task.  He’s perceived as the agent that waits until his players receive the contract they desire.  The Orioles offered Davis a huge contract, one that would’ve been the largest in Orioles history at 7 years, $150 million.  At this point, no other team has met or exceeded the Orioles offer to Davis.  It may take longer than the O’s front office would prefer, but in the end, Davis and the Orioles will reunite for the 2016 season.

2.  Scott Kazmir will sign with the O’s

With Wei-Yin Chen floating along the free agent market requesting for a 5-year, $100 million deal, it’s doubtful the Orioles will grant him with that offer.  Even though the Orioles have shown immense interest in Yovani Gallardo all offseason, nothing has transpired.  In 2015, Scott Kazmir pitched for Oakland and Houston, posting a combined ERA of 3.10.  The southpaw would be a prominent addition if Chen doesn’t return, making him the only lefty in the starting rotation.

Next: Cespedes coming to the O's?

3.  Orioles will give Mat Latos a chance to rebound from 2015 season

Mat Latos had a disastrous 2015 season and listed on the free agent market as a buy-low signing.  This makes it possible for the O’s to come away with Kazmir and Latos this offseason.  Before the 2015 season, Latos posted an ERA no higher than 3.48 from 2010-2014. The Orioles would be a nice fit for Latos to have a comeback type year.  Latos is just 28 and has all the capabilities to be productive in 2016.