Orioles could break the offseason open with this blockbuster trade

It's no secret that the Baltimore Orioles need someone to head their starting rotation in the worst way. Mike Elias might proclaim that the Orioles are willing to do what it takes to land a top free-agent starter, but past history makes that hard to believe.

Fortunately, the trade market is flush with ace-caliber pitchers. Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta, Hunter Greene, Sonny Gray, and Joe Ryan headline a group of frontline starters who are rumored to be on the move.

While Skubal is clearly the best of the bunch, a trade for him would likely be Corbin Burnes 2.0. Freddy Peralta would be going back to the Milwaukee Brewers' well, but an extension would need to be in play in addition to a need to part with major league-ready, cost-controlled talent. The return package required would also be prohibitive for Hunter Greene, as Cincinnati, like Milwaukee and Baltimore, has eyes on competing in 2025.

As for Gray, he's older and already comes with a hefty contract, which, combined with his disastrous history in the AL East, makes him a poor fit.

With all of that said, the clear best option is Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins.

Trading for Joe Ryan would set the Orioles up to have a dream offseason

Ryan is under team control through 2027 and is projected to make just $5.8 million in arbitration, making him the best bang-for-your-buck option out there. Unlike some of the other teams, the Twins are in the midst of a complete teardown, meaning Baltimore wouldn't have to surrender big league pieces like they would in a Peralta or Greene trade.

The affordability and additional control over Ryan mean that Baltimore can take a wait-and-see approach with an extension. More importantly, his bargain salary frees up money to be spent on other pressing needs.

Not only does Baltimore need a closer to replace injured star Felix Bautista, but following the trade deadline's bullpen sell-off, the club needs two or three setup men to build a pen that can truly compete.

While it is expected that they'd be shopping in the second-tier closer market, the money saved by acquiring Ryan could change that.

In this way, the Orioles could strike to land an ace and top-flight closer at the same time, giving them the best of both worlds. That would really help vault them back into the realm of contenders in a division that includes three fearsome foes and a pesky team in the Tampa Bay Rays that just won't go away.

Trading for Ryan would open up a world of possibilities, and if Elias is smart, he'll make sure to do what it takes to bring the star to Baltimore.