Baltimore Orioles: Buy now or wait until next off-season?

While it seems like the Baltimore Orioles are the quietest team in the MLB, you might be happy to know that they aren’t.

The Baltimore Orioles are one of many teams that have yet to sign any big name players. Keep in mind, however, that the Orioles have actually added several players to the roster.

And other teams have, too.

The big distractions

Of course, we have all been distracted by the big Giancarlo Stanton trade and the hubbub surrounding Shohei Ohtani. And, there’s the Evan Longoria thing. But, other than that, teams have been quiet. In fact, the top free agents have yet to be signed and January is on the horizon.

Big contracts don’t always work out

Could all of this be a sign that free agents are getting too expensive? Or is it a sign that teams are waiting until the next off-season to buy what they really want?

There is no doubt that free agent baseball players, especially the “elite” ones ask for a ridiculous amount of money. The Orioles aren’t the only team that has overpaid for an “elite” player and been grossly disappointed (see Chris Davis, Ubaldo Jimenez, et. al.)

Is it better to sign cheaper players?

As free agents and their agents are demanding more and more, could more teams go the way that the Orioles appear to be headed this off-season?

The Orioles are not the only team that has been busy stocking up on minor league players and less expensive options for their 40-man rosters. Every day, the website MLBTraderumors.com shares the latest signings for all teams. The majority of the talk has been about prospects and names that are barely recognizable by only the most diehard of fans.

Don’t forget that November 2018 is coming

What the Orioles and other teams are doing is far more affordable than giving $30 million per year to one player. It is significantly more sustainable, especially as teams try to reduce payroll and keep ticket prices from skyrocketing even higher than they already are. It could also be a sign that teams are waiting to get what they really want, which won’t be available until November 2018.

While it would be great to see the O’s sign someone like J.D. Martinez, Jake Arrieta, or Yu Darvish, it shouldn’t come at the expense of the rest of the team. Of the big signings, the highest annual dollars were given to Justin Upton, who earned five years at $21.1 million per year. And this wasn’t even a free agent signing, his contract was simply extended. Carlos Santana was given the highest free-agency contract – at a $20 million average annual value and he went to the Phillies.

A sign of things to come?

More from Orioles News

• Baltimore Orioles Sign RP Mychal Givens
• Gunnar Henderson: Destroyer of Four-Seam Fastballs
• Which Current Baltimore Orioles Pitchers Have the Best Curveballs?
• Orioles News: Should the O’s Pursue Eovaldi? + More MLB News
• Should the Baltimore Orioles Consider Signing Nathan Eovaldi?

Only a few other players have received contracts worth more than $10 million per season. The majority have all been under $7 million, with the biggest group being minor league contracts.

While it is doubtful that Darvish, Martinez, and the rest will end up without contracts, they may not get the immense amounts that were predicted when the off-season began. As each day goes by, many are now predicting that their values are decreasing, especially when the next season of free agents is on the horizon.

Why pay big bucks for Martinez when Bryce Harper could be yours in a year? Why give up a bundle for Mike Moustakas, when Manny Machado could be yours in a year?

Next: O's Austin Hays on Baseball America cover

By not spending much this off-season (like the Orioles are doing), teams could be setting themselves up for a successful haul when the big guns are released to the world after the 2018 season.