Mike Elias hints Orioles could have more moves coming after Shane Baz stunner

While not their biggest offseason move, the Baltimore Orioles' trading for Shane Baz may have been the most important decision made this winter. The Orioles entered the offseason with a need in the starting rotation, and they turned to a high-upside, former first-round pick who also arrives with three years of control.

Baz is projected to make $3.1 million next season, and that should leave Mike Elias and Co. with plenty of room to make more moves this offseason. While speaking with reporters over the weekend, Elias confirmed that the Orioles view Baz as their No. 3 starter, but they haven't ruled out further additions to the rotation.

“I think our rotation is a lot better than it was before we made the trade, but I view it as a move in this offseason,” Elias said. “We’ve been looking for moves, and when we find one that we like, we’ve been doing it, and we’ll continue to take that approach the rest of the way here. We still have like a month and a half to go [before Spring Training], so we’re going to stay hard at work.”

Mike Elias may have another move up his sleeve after the Orioles' trade for Shane Baz.

Even with Michael King off the board after returning to the San Diego Padres, Tatsuya Imai, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, and Zac Gallen all remain on the free-agent market.

It would seem likely that we can rule out the idea of the Orioles trading for another cost-controlled starting pitcher, given the price they paid for Baz. A trade for Edward Cabrera would all but deplete their farm system moving forward.

It would also seem likely that we can rule out Baltimore being the landing spot for Imai. If Imai is viewed as a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher by other teams interested in him, it wouldn't make too much sense for Baltimore to match the offer, considering they already have Baz, Trevor Rogers, and Kyle Bradish.

Valdez and Suarez are the two names to keep an eye on. Elias has a connection to Valdez, given the cross-over with the Houston Astros, and Suarez may not be in line for a deal that pays him like a top-of-the-rotation pitcher he has looked like during stretches with the Philadelphia Phillies.

As crazy as it would seem at the start of the offseason, the Orioles are in a key spot to make multiple impact additions to their starting rotation.