Orioles Rumors: Nola near miss, Dylan Cease, Josh Hader and other top bullpen arms

Now that the Baltimore Orioles have established themselves as one of the best teams in baseball, they have no real excuse to stand pat. They won the AL East last season with 101 wins and while the playoffs didn't go to plan, it is clear that they have a prime opportunity in front of them after years of stockpiling high end talent in the minor leagues.

Unfortunately, there had been a sense that the Orioles' ownership doesn't exactly feel the same way. Despite the additional revenue that comes from fielding a winning ballclub and making the playoffs, Orioles CEO John Angelos made it clear that fans shouldn't expect Baltimore to significantly expand payroll next season due to the size of their market and the "need" to maintain certain profit margins.

However, what ownership has said in public and what the rumor mill suggests is happening seem to be two very different things. If what has been reported lately is actually true, the Orioles could very well be looking to be more aggressive this offseason than they have been letting on. Here is a look at some of the latest Orioles rumors as we head into the Winter Meetings.

Orioles Rumors: Baltimore were players to sign Aaron Nola

Baltimore's need to beef up their rotation is not exactly news. Kyle Bradish was excellent in 2023 and Grayson Rodriguez showed flashes, but the rest of the starting staff was middling at best last season and the Orioles did little to address the need at the trade deadline despite it being a clear weakness of the roster going into the second half.

It does appear as though Baltimore isn't completely asleep at the wheel as the Orioles were reportedly very interested in acquiring Phillies star pitcher Aaron Nola before he decided to re-sign with Philadelphia earlier in the offseason.

While a team being "interested" in a good pitcher doesn't mean much on the surface, that Baltimore was even mentioned as a suitor for a guy like Nola who was always a mortal lock to get a significant nine figure deal is somewhat telling. Baltimore isn't overly likely to hand out a big guaranteed contract, but that they were even checking in on a guy like Nola does seem to indicate that the Orioles could be more willing to spend than most had been led to believe especially when you consider what is happening elsewhere in the offseason rumor mill.