Rumor: Baltimore Orioles Darkhorse in Jacob deGrom Race?

The Baltimore Orioles don’t seem to be intent on playing childish games this offseason. EVP/GM Mike Elias has talked the talk since the day the regular season ended and according to this source, they may be about to walk the walk:

This tracks with what The Athletic’s Jim Bowden divulged last week when he reported that the Orioles were in contact with “almost all” of the top free agent pitchers.  Carlos Rodon, who we overviewed recently, was assumed to be the biggest name. I have personally advocated for Jose Quintana. Needless to say, this MLB executive’s suggestion that Jacob deGrom could be in play is a bit of a shocker.

The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly after a big fish. Could that be Jacob deGrom?

Common sentiment is that deGrom will eventually return to the New York Mets, but let’s assume for a second that the Baltimore Orioles are in fact a darkhorse. What would he bring to the 2023 O’s?

An ace, obviously. deGrom has been one of baseball’s premier pitchers since his debut and would be the most talented pitcher the Orioles have had since Mike Mussina. Additionally, the righty would be the first Cy Young candidate in an Orioles uniform since Erik Bedard in 2007. Few throw harder, strike out more, walk fewer, or allow weaker contact than deGrom. How many pitchers have accumulated more than the 37.4 fWAR deGrom has since 2015? Only Max Scherzer and nobody else.

There is reason to be concerned about a case of arm and shoulder injuries that, along with a COVID-shortened 2020, have prevented deGrom from throwing over 100 innings since 2019. Those issues combined with his age could scare teams away, though he returned in August looking like the same old deGrom and was the winning pitcher for the Mets lone playoff win in the NL Wild Card Series against San Diego.

A deal for deGrom actually makes sense considering the Orioles payroll situation. Excluding the players heading to arbitration, Baltimore has just $8.6 million tied up between John Means and deferred money from the Chris Davis deal. The Orioles could theoretically afford to offer deGrom a deal north of $40 million annually, not be tied up long term, and still have plenty of cash left over to pursue upgrades at corner outfield, middle infield, and/or the back end of the bullpen.

The Mets are and will remain the odds-on favorite until Jacob deGrom announces his decision, but the Baltimore Orioles do make sense as an option considering their rotation needs, the closeness to their competitive window, and the funds the club has available. Are Bowden and this MLB executive burner account on to something?