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Baltimore Orioles: Three potential offseason moves

By Adam Taylor McKillop

A general view of the stadium before the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 23, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
A general view of the stadium before the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 23, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Orioles remain in a rebuilding mode under second-year GM Mike Elias.

It’s easy to say the Baltimore Orioles overperformed in 2020. The club finished fourth in the AL East with a 25-35 record, however, remained in contention for a Wild Card spot late into the season.

Nonetheless, the biggest goal for this rebuilding franchise was to show improvement in 2020. And that was accomplished.

Heading into 2021, the franchise remains in rebuilding mode. There seems to be a more positive outlook in Baltimore, especially under the guidance of second-year GM Mike Elias.

The club enjoyed refreshing looks at a number of its top prospects including Dean Kremer, Keegan Akin, Ryan Mountcastle, and Hanser Alberto. Kremer and Akin both showed good flashes of talent on the mount while Mountcastle and Alberto excelled at the plate. Mountcastle hit .333 with five home runs in 35 games while Alberto hit .283 with 35 runs scored.

Baltimore remains a few years away from contention, however, this offseason is important to remain on track for the rebuild. The Orioles will need to focus on pitching and infield depth, while potentially looking for additional prospects/cheaper free agent targets. Check out three potential offseason moves for the O’s.

Alex Cobb #17 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches
Alex Cobb #17 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during game two of a doubleheader baseball game against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 20, 2019 in Baltimore. Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Baltimore looks for cheap, veteran starting pitching

After the exciting MLB debuts of Kremer, Akin, and Bruce Zimmermann, the future of Baltimore’s starting pitching staff looks positive. Alex Cobb, at 33-years-old, remains the veteran mainstay in the Orioles rotation. John Means and Jorge Lopez are also viable options to feature in the rotation.

Next year, the Orioles will continue to audition its young talent in Kremer, Akin, and Zimmermann. This leaves a need for starting rotation depth. And what better place to look than finding some veteran talent to pair with the youth.

Wade LeBlanc and Tommy Milone, who the Orioles acquired on minor league deals last season, previously filled this role.

Some notable veteran starting pitchers the Orioles could look to acquire include J.A. Happ, Jake Arrieta, Garrett Richards, or even Mike Minor.

Happ went through another up-and-down season with the New York Yankees in 2020. Notably, his season ended on a sour note after the ALDS game three debacle in which Happ came into relief in just the second inning. Richards enjoyed the best 2020 of the remaining three names, however, may require a multi-year deal.

Arrieta and Minor struggled with plus-5.00 ERAs. If the Orioles are looking to fill rotation depth for the cheapest rate, either of this duo fits the bill.

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