5 things Orioles fans want to see in 2024
These 5 things are at the top of the list of what Orioles fans want to see next year
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As 2023 draws to a close, fans of the Baltimore Orioles have plenty to look back on and celebrate. The Birds had 101 wins, finished the regular season with the best record in the American League (second best in baseball), four Orioles made the all-star team, three were named to All-MLB teams and the farm system continues to be the best in baseball.
They also had a strong showing in awards season in the minors and majors highlighted by Gunnar Henderson, Brandon Hyde and Mike Elias winning Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year and Executive of the Year respectively.
This past season was so much fun to watch and the awards were well deserved, but new years is a time where people also look to the future. With that in mind, here are five things Orioles fans would like to see in 2024.
5: Major mid season acquisition
The trade deadline is a hot topic every year. Which teams will be buyers and which teams will be sellers? The Orioles had lots of speculation at that time and they did make a few moves, but none of them were expected to make a major impact.
On the other hand, the Texas Rangers brought in Jordan Montgomery and Max Scherzer, who both made big impacts for them as they went on to win their first World Series. Frequently the teams playing at the end of October, now into November, are good teams that get better at the deadline. As good as the Orioles were last season, they clearly needed something more. Hopefully next season the O’s will make more of an improvement at the deadline.
4: A true power hitter
The Orioles had a powerful lineup from top to bottom last season and put up 807 runs last season, the seventh most in baseball. The Orioles .255 team average was the 10th best in baseball and they managed to do so without having any individual standouts in that category.
The one area the O’s were lacking in was power. They did have seven players with double digit homers, but none had 30 and the team's 183 combined home runs were in the bottom half of baseball. The answer to this might come from that top-ranked farm system as Heston Kjerstad and Coby Mayo could become a power-hitting DH platoon next season, or the O’s could look elsewhere either in free agency or a trade. Earl Weaver always said the best play in baseball is the three run homer and the Birds could use a few more of them next season.
3: An ace pitcher
No disrespect to the current Orioles starters but adding another ace to this team would go a long way in helping them win in the playoffs. Kyle Bradish established himself as a true #1 starter, John Means will be back and Grayson Rodriguez could breakout in his first full season in the big leagues.
We all saw how several starters ran out of gas at the end of last season and injuries are always a concern. After losing Kyle Gibson in free agency the Birds are looking to replace a lot of innings in that rotation.
The Orioles have been discussed as trade destinations for guys like Framber Valdez and Corbin Burnes, who not only are very good pitchers but were both in the top 10 in innings pitched last season. Free agent pitchers like Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery are among several pitchers the Orioles could target, but they’re more likely to look for cheaper options.
2: Contract extensions for the young stars
Baseball fans have seen money thrown around in record amounts in recent years, especially from teams with deep pockets like the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Orioles need to follow in the footsteps of teams like the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers and sign young stars to long contracts early.
The Braves gave Ronald Acuna Jr. an eight year $100 million contract, with a team option for two more years, after he won Rookie of the Year. That contract will pay him an average of $12.5 million per year, miles away from the $30-70 million other top-tier players are now getting these days. They have given other young stars like Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris long-term contracts that should help keep them at a reduced rate as well.
The Brewers recently signed their top prospect, Jackson Chourio to an extension before he even debuted in the majors. The Orioles need to sign players like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday to long-term contracts or risk repeating the fate of the 2015 Kansas City Royals and 2016 Chicago Cubs who lost all their homegrown stars after winning.
1: David Rubenstein to purchase the Orioles
John Angelos has been the black eye of the Orioles ever since he took control of the team. Between statements he has made about the Orioles play, the idea of drastic raises in ticket prices, the suspension of beloved commentator Kevin Brown and all the drama with the stadium lease, O’s fans are tired of the negativity surrounding him.
Recent rumors have surfaced about David Rubenstein, a self made billionaire from Baltimore, purchasing the team. He has donated hundreds of millions to various causes and schools and is an original member of The Giving Pledge, and organization that encourages wealthy people to donate at least half of their wealth after they die. Rubenstein appears to be a good person with local ties that could help the Orioles and their fans.
This year was a great one for the Orioles and their fans that certainly be difficult to top, but this list seems like a decent starting place for the Orioles to start.
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