Baltimore Orioles Roundup: Potential Pitching Targets This Offseason
Baltimore Orioles rumors continue to catch steam ahead of next week’s General Manager meetings as the 2017-18 offseason kicks off.
The Baltimore Orioles most notable free agent signings in the 2017 offseason included catcher Welington Castillo and bringing back slugger Mark Trumbo on a three-year deal worth $37.5 million.
However, no pitchers were signed last offseason to reinvigorate the Orioles starting rotation, an area Orioles executive VP of baseball operations Dan Duquette vows to address this offseason.
Most noteworthy, Jeremy Hellickson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Wade Miley, and Chris Tillman, who were all members of the Orioles rotation in 2017, will not return in 2018. This leaves the Orioles with only two starting pitchers, ace pitcher Dylan Bundy and 22-year-old Kevin Gausman returning in 2018.
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As a result, the Orioles biggest needs this offseason is pitching, pitching and more pitching, like every offseason. Most intriguing, will Duquette finally make a big splash in free agency this offseason?
In an expiring contract year and coming off a last-place finish in the American League East, Duquette will need an exceptional offseason if he wants a new contract moving forward.
Therefore, we present the latest Baltimore Orioles rumors and news roundup as the offseason free agent signings and transactions begin to roll out.
Orioles Rumors and News Roundup
1. 5 Left-Handed Relievers the Orioles Could Pursue – The Baltimore Wire
Our own Ben Palmer crafts a list of five possible left-handed relievers the Orioles should consider this offseason. Among the five potential free agent targets are one-time All-Star Tony Watson and 34-year-old Brian Duensing to bolster the Orioles bullpen.
2. Orioles remain in market for left-handed relief – Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com
As reported, the Orioles are in the market for left-handed relievers, an area the Orioles always add to their off-season to-do list. At the moment, the Orioles roster includes only two lefties, Zach Britton and Richard Bleier that are locks to make the 2018 active 25-man roster. The other notable lefty reliever Donnie Hart floated between the major league roster and Triple-A Norfolk and will fight for a spot on the Orioles Opening Day roster.
Most notable left-handed relievers available this offseason via MLBTraderumors.com is Jorge De La Rosa, Brian Duensing, Zach Duke, Josh Edgin, and Francisco Liriano.
3. Looking at next year’s free agents is a reminder the Orioles must go for it – Camden Chat
Randy DeCleene writes an excellent piece on the importance of going for it all in 2018 with quintessential Orioles entering the final year of their contracts. Manny Machado, Adam Jones, Zach Britton, Brad Brach, along with manager Buck Showalter and executive VP Dan Duquette all enter 2018 with expiring contracts.
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4. Orioles free agent pitching primer: How the club can address their starting rotation needs – Baltimore Sun
Jon Meoli type of offseason approaches the Orioles can take regarding the starting rotation. Starting pitchers Andrew Cashner, Yu Darvish and former Orioles pitcher Jake Arietta highlights potential signings in the various offseason schemes.