Baltimore Orioles Open to Extensions with Key Players This Offseason
By Tim Haberin
Baltimore Orioles GM Dan Duquette is willing to talk about extensions with multiple players this offseason, including Chris Tillman and Manny Machado.
It might take a while for the Baltimore Orioles to get over the sting of their extra-inning loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in last week’s AL Wild Card Game, but time waits for no one, and with the offseason rapidly approaching, the team is already thinking about potential moves to make in the months ahead.
O’s general manager Dan Duquette held a press conference last Thursday to discuss the 2016 season and what might be coming next. In talking to the media, Duquette mentioned a handful of players he could be interested in signing to long-term contract extensions this winter.
One of those players is starting pitcher Chris Tillman, who more or less filled the role of ace this year in the Orioles rotation. The right-hander will be eligible for free agency following the 2017 campaign. The 28-year-old won 16 games this year with a 3.77 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 2.12 K/BB ratio. Tillman faltered a bit down the stretch, however, posting a 5.03 ERA in seven outings over the season’s final two months. He also missed some time with a shoulder injury in August and September.
Duquette expressed the utmost confidence in Tillman to continue leading Baltimore’s staff. “I think Tillman is a legitimate ace, OK?” he said. “If you look at what he’s done over the last several years in the American League, he’s one of the top pitchers. He’s up there in terms of wins and innings pitched. He’s a workhorse. He does the work.”
While Tillman might not exactly classify as “elite” under most people’s definitions, he has been a very solid starter who has eaten up a lot of innings for the O’s in recent seasons. In fact, he has taken the hill at least 30 times in each of the past four years. Given the club’s somewhat iffy pitching situation, it would probably be a good idea to see if they can lock up Tillman beyond next season.
Of course, the name on everyone’s mind when it comes to looming Orioles free agents is Manny Machado, although he is still currently under control through the 2018 season. According to MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko, Duquette said he would consider approaching the star third baseman about a new contract as well.
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Unless the O’s are really willing to pony up the cash right now, it’s hard not to see Machado waiting it out and testing the market in a couple years. He’s asserted himself as one of the game’s top players over the past two seasons, slashing .290/.351/.518 while averaging 36 home runs and 91 RBI between the 2015 and 2016 campaigns. He also generated bWARs of 7.1 and 6.7 the past two years, respectively. Oh, and he only just turned 24 back in July.
Baltimore was willing to commit $161 million over seven years to Chris Davis last winter, but Machado will undoubtedly command much more than that on the open market. The Orioles shouldn’t resign themselves to losing him, though, and working on him in the upcoming offseason could be part of that process.
Closer Zach Britton was also brought up as a possible extension candidate, although Duquette was a bit more coy. “Is Britton a free agent after this year?” he said. “He’s got two more years.” Britton converted all 47 of his save chances this year, allowing just four earned runs in 67 innings (0.54 ERA). His dominance has even put him into the Cy Young and MVP debates. The O’s surely want to keep him, too, but it will be a balancing act.
Duquette also mentioned second baseman Jonathan Schoop, although his free agency is furthest away, following the 2019 season. He had his best year yet as a major leaguer this season, slashing .267/.298/.454 with 25 homers and 82 RBI while playing in all 162 games.
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If the Orioles want to remain competitive and ensure that their window doesn’t close prematurely, they will need to pay close attention to the key players approaching free agency. It sounds like Dan Duquette is well aware of that.