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Tiers of Pitching Available to Baltimore Orioles

By Nate Wardle

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Jun 8, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Oakland Athletics pitcher Scott Kazmir (26) pitches in the first inning during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Athletics defeated the Orioles 11-1. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

It is quite clear that the Baltimore Orioles have to acquire at least one major league caliber starting pitcher this offseason.

Sure, everyone has heard of the names Price (in Boston), Greinke, Zimmermann (in Detroit) and others. But, let’s be honest, the O’s weren’t really in on any of these guys.

There is another group of guys, guys like Yovani Gallardo, Mike Leake, Doug Fister who have been talked about and who some in the fanbase are clamoring for.

However, I am going to present all of the free agent starting pitchers available, by separating them into five tiers. The first tier will be players who have already signed. Second tier is those who are out of the Orioles’ price range. The middle tier will feature players who I believe are good options in Baltimore and fit the Orioles’ budget. The fourth tier will be players who may be okay on a one-year contract but don’t offer a lot of upside over the current staff. The fifth tier will be pitchers who I think are past their prime and could go unsigned, or end up with a minor league contract. It will also include players coming off major injuries who may not play in 2016, and players expected to retire.

Tier One:

With these players all accounted for, there isn’t much to say here. Zimmermann, Happ and Estrada all were likely on the Orioles’ radar, but are all signed. Norris is the only pitcher signed who will not be playing in the AL next year. Interesting.

Tier Two:

As much as you want them to, the Orioles don’t have the financial ability to sign Zack Grienke or Johnny Cueto. If one starting pitcher was the team’s only need, maybe. But it isn’t.

Tier Three:  

Then comes the group where the Orioles will likely sign at least one player from. Colleague Randy Buchman talked about Mike Leake and Yovani Gallardo and I would be a big fan of either one in Baltimore next year. I also would be a big fan of Kazmir, a pitcher who knows the division and pitching in the AL.

After those three, my interest decreases. Iwakuma will be 35 years old next season and coming off a year where he dealt with some injuries. However, he also no-hit the Orioles and has been very steady throughout his career.

Orioles fans know all about Chen, the former Oriole. I can’t see him coming back, but wouldn’t mind it if it was for the right price. Fister is another pitcher with injury concerns, having only pitched just over 100 innings last year. He has been a steady pitcher throughout his career, however.

The next group of pitchers I have a little less interest in. Kennedy is susceptible to the home run, and has struggled the past few years in the friendly ballparks in Arizona and San Diego. Baltimore is far from friendly for fly-ball pitchers. And that is also my concern with Lewis. Lewis is 36 and leaves up A LOT of home runs. In fact, in 2011 he led the majors in homers allowed.

Samardzija is an enigma to me.  I just can’t figure out if he is really a good pitcher or not.  He certainly shows signs of being very good, but is also very inconsistent.  Those signs will probably get him a large contract, probably bigger than most of the guys on this list.  It shouldn’t come from Baltimore. The game without fans that was played in Baltimore shortly after the riots is enough proof of why.

Chris Young and Mike Pelfrey are two guys who would be cheaper options that I would like to see in Baltimore.  Neither one is going to be a top of the line starter, but if the O’s spend big on Davis, might be pitchers who can push the current options, or be long relievers.

Cahill had a few good years in Oakland, none more than when he was an All-Star in 2010. But, the past two have been bad, and I don’t see him regaining his form. Chacin, while only 28, has only pitched more than 100 innings three times in six years.

Latos has talent, but only has a few places he wants to pitch. I can’t see Baltimore as one of them.

Tier Four:

I could see the Orioles taking a chance on only a few of these guys. Buehrle is likely going to retire, but he is an innings-eater and would be a great person to have in Baltimore. Gavin Floyd is from Baltimore and always linked to the Orioles, and maybe this is the year it happens.

I don’t see Lincecum fitting in on the East Coast, and he also is too inconsistent to be signed to be a reliable starter. Colon is advanced in age, and I’m not sure how well he would do at this point of his career in the AL East.

Simon and Saunders have both pitched for Baltimore, and I can’t see a reunion in the works for either player, especially not as reliable starting options.

I could see the Orioles doing one-year, incentive-based contracts with Lohse and Vogelsong. However, I think Lohse will get a two-year deal from some team.

Lackey I just can’t stand because of the jerk he is on and off the field. Morrow and Luebke are probably not starting pitchers at this point of their career.

Tier Five:  

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We could call this group the retirees, the washed-ups and the curse of the Phillies. Lee may pitch again in the majors, but he will never be the same, and he may just retire. Hudson is expected to retire. Burnett is either going back to Pittsburgh or retiring, at least that is the buzz. Kendrick, Harang, Williams, Billingsley were all awful last year, three of the four for the Phillies. Josh Johnson and Shaun Marcum are two more players who might catch on as a reliever, but I can’t see them getting a major league contract. Same goes for Francis, Wolf, Baker, Reyes, Correia, Gaudin, Pauley, Paulino, Penny and Wang. All of these guys are on the tail end of their career.  Haren has reportedly retired, and Griffin hasn’t been in the majors in two years.

You will notice I didn’t mention Jeremy Guthrie. He was bumped from the Royals’ rotation last year because he was so bad.  Do I think he could help the Orioles? Yes. And I still like Guthrie. But, I don’t think he is a major league starting pitcher anymore.

Next: Who should the O's focus upon to add to the roster?

As the list shows, there are not a top of enticing options. But, I think the Orioles will sign at least one of these players, probably from the third tier.  Who that player is, is anyone’s guess.

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