Orioles fans will hate the latest Bleacher Report free agency predictions

While the Orioles need to keep their eyes on the rival Yankees who stand atop the division leaderboard, some outlets are already turning their attention to the all-important free agency market a few months away. Bleacher Report, for example, made predictions for several big-name players, and Baltimore fans may feel slighted by the suggestion that the team will lose two key contributors.

Soon-to-be free agent Anthony Santander has made it clear that he intends on staying with the Orioles for as long as the team will have him. The article, though, has him joining Seattle. The Mariners’ extension of phenom Julio Rodriguez and signing of Luis Castillo have displayed the team’s willingness to spend. Considering Santander’s scorching performance over the past two months, the Mariners, who also have a number of key players in arbitration, may be one of the few teams that can afford the slugger.

Bleacher Report predicts both Anthony Santander and Corbin Burnes will leave Baltimore in free agency this offseason

Perhaps more heartbreaking, though, is the possibility that Corbin Burnes would sign with a division foe, as suggested by the article. Burnes, a perennial Cy Young candidate, will likely command a substantial salary, perhaps in the $35 million AAV range. That would far exceed the richest Orioles contract. The Red Sox, as the article predicts, seem to be in position to make a substantial offer and shake up the AL East.

It’s difficult to imagine the Orioles without Santander and Burnes, who have combined for 6.4 bWAR so far this season. They are the team leaders in homers and RBIs and innings pitched, ERA, and strikeouts, respectively. They are the veterans, at age 29, on a team with the fourth-youngest offense in the Majors.

The Orioles, though, might have a shot at replacing these two invaluable players, if the team is willing to take a risk. Walker Buehler and Shane Bieber have had walk-years marred by injury and may be willing to sign a shorter deal in order to prove their worth and try the market when they are back to full health.

This would also tide Baltimore over until their fleet of injured starters returns. Fewer suitable options, aside from big names like Juan Soto, exist on the outfield side of things, so the Orioles may have to have faith that Heston Kjerstad comes into his own and Cedric Mullins figures things out next season.