ESPN connects Orioles to several starters, but one is impossible to ignore

The Baltimore Orioles' quest for rotation depth this offseason feels like it could soon reach a breaking point. After trading for Taylor Ward and then signing Ryan Helsley, Baltimore has made substantial progress in reshaping their roster. However, their rotation is arguably less deep than it was at the start of the season with the departure of Grayson Rodriguez. As a result, most of the trade rumors and connections floating around the Orioles right now center around starting pitchers.

In fact, ESPN's baseball insiders Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel featured the Orioles prominently when identifying the players they think will be traded this offseason. The vast majority of the Baltimore connections were to rotation arms of varying degrees of actually available, but one name that stuck out that the Orioles should push hard for is Joe Ryan.

Joe Ryan feels like the perfect Orioles target this offseason

Sure, there are a ton of names that would be great to see in a Baltimore uniform next season. Tarik Skubal and Freddy Peralta are the hottest names at the moment, but neither of their teams is overly motivated to move them, given that they are also contenders. However, Ryan is a unique case in this trade market who also happens to play on a team that seems very close to tearing things down.

In Ryan, Baltimore would get a guy with frontline stuff that misses bats, who has two more years of team control via arbitration, and who is only likely to make in the neighborhood of $6 million next season in arbitration. Cheap, high upside, and more than a rental. That seems to be precisely the kind of arm that could actually entice Mike Elias to use the Orioles' substantial prospect depth to get a deal done.

Of course, the bigger problem is that the entire league wants a quality arm like that, so bidding is likely to be fierce. The Red Sox already made a big push for Ryan at the trade deadline, and odds are good that they will get involved again, especially if Baltimore is sniffing around. Whichever teams miss out on Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez are certain to call Minnesota and at least ask the asking price.

Baltimore may have the farm system needed to win a bidding war, but it is unclear if Elias himself has the stomach for one.