Baltimore Orioles: There’s still options on the market, don’t throw in the towel yet

The offseason is slow moving for many teams. However, the Baltimore Orioles have managed to lead the way in signings, with ten days remaining before pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota.

It’s no stranger to anyone following this offseason that the movement of free-agents is slugging along painfully slow. However, the Baltimore Orioles have signed 15, tying the Texas Rangers for most free-agent signings this offseason.

In order from first, to most recent signing, the team has signed Ruben Tejada, Joely Rodriguez, Ryan O’Rourke, Jhan Marinez, Jeff Ferrell, Josh Edgin, Asher Wojciechowski, Jason Gurka, Perci Garner, Tim Melville, Andrew Faulkner, Jayson Aquino, Audry Perez and Eddie Gamboa.

The O’s have also made moves via trade, acquiring Jacob Brugman from the Oakland Athletics and Engelb Vielma from the San Francisco Giants. Don’t forget the Rule-5 draft too, as the Orioles plucked Pedro Araujo from the Chicago Cubs organization, and Jose Mesa and Nestor Cortes from the New York Yankees. Finally, as you can read here, the Orioles picked up former Milwaukee Brewers Catcher, Andrew Susac.

Of course, the majority of moves made this offseason have been for positional depth. The market hasn’t closed for business yet though, not by far.

Acquisitions and signings haven’t been lacking in Baltimore, but it wouldn’t surprise me if these guys aren’t who you’re dreaming of the team signing. It’s no secret the organization wants to (and quite frankly needs to) improve their starting rotation. As reported here on MLB.com, Dan Duquette said,

“Obviously, we have work to do to address some of the deficiencies on our ballclub. We’re going to continue to build our pitching staff, notably the starting pitching.”

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Who will be in their starting rotation has been a bigger question this offseason than who’s going to play Shortstop, who’s going to be the starting Catcher and who’s going to replace Zach Britton in the closer role. Right now, it’s still appearing to feature Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman, in that order. Following Bundy goes Gabriel Ynoa, Mike Wright, and Miguel Castro.

Depending on who you ask though, the starting rotation could go, Bundy, Gausman and pray for rain three days in-a-row.

Even with the Orioles are bringing 35 pitchers into camp with them in ten days, there remains a copious amount of starters still waiting to be signed.

The depth moves may not be the only moves made this offseason. Don’t throw in the towel just yet.

First reported by Jon Morosi here on from MLB.com, the Orioles were said to have interest in free agent starter, Lance Lynn. This news came after the team had garnered attention in Alex Cobb.

Roch Kubatko, of MASN Sports, noted in November that the Orioles have, “definite interest,” in free agent starters Andrew Cashner and Jason Vargas.

No other team has made a considerable splash regarding the starting pitching market this offseason. Sure, the Rangers signed Doug Fister, and Chicago Cubs signed Tyler Chatwood (whom the Orioles had interest in as well). However, good for the Orioles, the starters on their radar remain unclaimed.

Also unclaimed, Chris Tillman, Jaime Garcia, and Clay Buchholz are guys that could potentially improve the rotation from 2017.

Sure, the Jake Arrieta’s, Alex Cobb’s and Lance Lynn’s of the world will cost a team some money. According to Spotrac, Arrieta’s AAV is $26MM; Cobb’s is $18MM, Lynn’s is $17MM, and even former Oriole Chris Tillman’s is $9MM.

The only statement leading anyone to believe the Orioles won’t sign any of these top-tier starters came from Buck Showalter. On the Orioles Hot-Stove Show in January, Showalter said,

“Right now with what they’re asking for, I wouldn’t sign them.”

You can read a recap of Showalter’s appearance on the show here, from Eduardo Encina of The Baltimore Sun.

Next: Baltimore Orioles Spring Training Gift Guide

There’s understandably room for negativity. It’s ten days before spring training, and the club has two guaranteed starters in their rotation. However, optimism still exists, as there are still options out there to improve the team for the 2018 season.