Baltimore Orioles eyeing one of top starters in free agency

The Baltimore Orioles are not done in their quest to add to their rotation.

Kyle Gibson clearly is not enough for a team that is looking to contend next season. He could be a solid fit in the back of the Orioles rotation, and may even be a bargain, but he is not the type of player that will suddenly catapult them into a Wild Card spot.

Baltimore Orioles enter Carlos Rodon Sweepstakes

This is something that the Orioles appear to be aware of as well. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Orioles are one of eight or nine teams that are interested in Carlos Rodon’s services.

Rodon would be a dramatic upgrade to the Orioles’ rotation. He finally broke out in 2021, dominating in his final year for the White Sox before shoulder woes limited his effectiveness down the stretch. He ultimately proved to be healthy last season, proving his 2021 campaign was not a fluke as he established himself as a top of the rotation arm with the Giants.

Over the course of the past two seasons, Rodon has posted a 2.67 ERA and a 0.998 WHiP over his 310.2 innings, striking out 422 batters with 88 walks. He is also 30 years old, still in the midst of his prime and young enough to be a part of their core going forward. Adding Rodon to top prospect Grayson Rodriguez and John Means once he returns from Tommy John surgery could give the Orioles the type of rotation that they need.

The Orioles are obviously not the only suitor for Rodon. If he is looking to win now, he is likely to head elsewhere. But the Orioles do not have a lot of money tied up in the future. Sometimes, a team needs to overpay in order to bring in that player to show that they a serious about contending. If the Orioles open the checkbook and outbid everyone else, he could become just what they needed.

The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly involved in the Carlos Rodon Sweepstakes. He is the type of pitcher they need to bring in.