Orioles’ wild new rumor skips right past the one thing they actually need

After trading oft-injured starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels for power-hitting outfielder Taylor Ward, the Baltimore Orioles gave off the impression that they'd found their impact bat.

Considering Ward's arrival adds to an already crowded outfield picture, and the Orioles have a dire need for pitching, it would make sense for Baltimore to turn their focus toward adding a top-of-the-rotation arm in free agency. And yet, a new Orioles rumor has them swimming in some deep waters with their eyes fixed on free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon (subscription required) report that the Orioles haven't ruled out a pursuit of Tucker. While it doesn't sound like the Orioles are at the forefront of Tucker's sweepstakes, the insiders suggest a theoretical plan could be for the Orioles to sign Tucker, and then be willing to include Colton Cowser or Dylan Beavers in a potential trade for a cost-controlled starting pitcher.

Kyle Tucker would undoubtedly look great in an Orioles uniform, but is Baltimore planning to address the starting rotation?

To be clear, generally, it's not a crazy idea. When healthy, Tucker is one of the best offensive players in baseball, and signing him would show a level of urgency that Orioles fans have been begging for. However, specific to the Orioles' situation, it makes very little sense.

For better or worse, the Orioles are stuck with Tyler O'Neill in right field, and Ward will be taking over in left field. Tucker isn't a center fielder, so it would force one of the three veterans to serve as designated hitter, which could complicate the situation between Samuel Basallo and Adley Rutschman. If the Orioles were going to go for a big bat in free agency, Pete Alonso or Kyle Schwarber would make the most sense, considering it would be an easier fit for their lineup.

But this ignores the elephant in the room: the need for pitching. It seems like an odd strategy to admit that starting pitching is the priority, only to sign the top position-player free agent with the hope that you could then pull off a trade for a cost-controlled starting pitcher. If the Orioles are willing to spend top dollar this offseason, it needs to be for pitching.