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Yovani Gallardo and Orioles Seen as Potential Match

By Jacob Kornhauser

Oct 8, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the second inning in game one of the ALDS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the second inning in game one of the ALDS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo has yet to agree to a deal with anyone, despite putting up very good numbers in 2015. The Baltimore Orioles have done little to address their lack of starting pitching this offseason. Logically, then, the two could be a match as spring training approaches.

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Gallardo is likely to command a three or four-year contract in the neighborhood of $12-14 million a season. As long as he stays healthy, he’s worth that kind of money. He’s a dependable No. 3 starter, borderline No. 2 starter. At this point, Baltimore can use all the pitching depth they can get.

Jun 20, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez (31) throws to first base to check on a New York Yankees base runner during the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Ubaldo Jimenez had a bounce-back year in 2015, but can he duplicate his performance this year?              Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

In 2015, Gallardo went 13-11 with a 3.42 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 184.1 innings. Clearly, nothing flashy, but he gets the job done. Currently, the Orioles are without a legitimate top-of-the-rotation guy.

Orioles’ Projected Starting Rotation: 

  1. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez
  2. RHP Chris Tillman
  3. RHP Miguel Gonzalez
  4. RHP Kevin Gausman
  5. RHP Dylan Bundy

That’s not too impressive for a team that still figures to compete for a playoff spot. With Gallardo, perhaps they can. After all, Jimenez had a decent year in 2015 and Tillman has high upside. With all the question marks entering this season, though, they could use someone dependable like Gallardo.

If Baltimore really has more money to spend after inking Chris Davis to a seven-year mega deal, as it appears they do, they should invest it in pitching rather than the lineup. That’s where they need the most help.

Sure, Gallardo isn’t the sexiest of signings, but it’s one that could turn Baltimore from pretender to contender in 2016. Now, the clock is ticking as spring training draws closer.

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