Baltimore Orioles Winter Meetings Hot Stove shopping list

Starting pitching is the biggest need for the Baltimore Orioles in 2018.

There are only two returning starters with any type of experience: Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy. Both are young and both have proven they can throw – but neither fit the bill for a number-one starter.

Duquette should have a few free-agent pitchers on his radar. Andrew Cashner, Jaime Garcia, and Alex Cobb could be names that he discusses. Lance Lynn could also be on Duquette’s radar, although he will be expensive. Their agents will be there, ready to talk.

First attempt was foiled

Duquette already tried to get an affordable pitcher, but Mike Fiers reportedly declined a two-year offer. Instead, Fiers chose to go to the Detroit Tigers to pitch on a team that finished last in the entire league. He took a one-year deal for $6 million from Detroit instead of a two-year deal for $11 from Baltimore.

It is clear that Duquette is going to have an uphill battle signing three free-agent pitchers, especially for affordable prices. Many teams need one or two pitchers, but no one is in quite the dilemma that the Orioles are in. Unfortunately for Duquette, the rest of the league is fully aware of his predicament and they will most likely try to take full advantage of it. He may need to turn to trades, instead.

It is highly unlikely that all three pitchers will be signed during the span of the Winter Meetings. But, hopefully, by December 14 when the event closes, there will be at least one GOOD pitcher wearing the orange and black.