Baltimore Orioles Trying to Compete in American League East

On the first day of the MLB Winter Meetings, Baltimore Orioles rumors involve a high-profile starting pitcher while the New York Yankees acquire slugger Giancarlo Stanton.

Giancarlo Stanton is now a New York Yankee, joining Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, and others to form a very formidable lineup.

Chris Sale is still a Boston Red Sox, joining David Price, Rick Porcello, and Drew Pomeranz to form a very formidable rotation. The Blue Jays also have a powerful, but aging lineup. The Rays have a steady rotation that could be even better if some of their pitchers emerge.

So what about the Baltimore Orioles? What do they have?

Right now, they have a formidable lineup that is predicated on power and the sluggers in the middle being able to hit the ball. Last year, that didn’t happen. They have a rotation that currently consists of two guys who could be top of the rotation starters but need to keep taking steps forward.

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As for the rest of that rotation. Nothing. Nada. Bupkis. It’s only Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman. This Orioles team also features one of the best and most profound (and most expensive) bullpens in baseball. They have considered that strength.

Well, what do the Baltimore Orioles want to be in two years? Five years? This seems like a very pivotal season, and so far, the offseason has been nothing short of an utter disaster.

First, there was Shohei Ohtani. Yesterday on MLB Network, Dan Duquette said the Baltimore Orioles don’t take part in the posting system, and not going after Ohtani was a matter of principle.

This makes no sense for two reasons. One, why not? Why not take part in the posting system? Two, why announce this to the whole league? It sure sounds like to me it may be Duquette undercutting his owner, Peter Angelos.

Then there are the free agent signings. Rumors that the Orioles were interested in Tyler Chatwood, interested in Miles Mikolas and even made an offer to Mike Fiers, only for all to be turned down.

Were they serious offers, or just interest? We know for Fiers, the others we don’t. Let’s face it, expecting a bounce back from Chris Tillman, Miguel Gonzalez and fill-in-the-blank isn’t going to work.

The team needs real options in the rotation. Sure, one spot can be for Tillman, or maybe Matt Harvey, if both can work through their injury issues. Gonzalez is an option too, but in a good scenario, he would be competing for a spot, not your fourth starter.

If the Baltimore Orioles are not going to upgrade the rotation seriously, they won’t be able to compete for a division title in the AL East, and probably not for a Wild Card spot either. In that case, the team needs to sell and sell hard.

The Mets want to trade for relief pitching? That’s fine, but Harvey is useless in a sale, as he is a one-year rental. Trade Darren O’Day or Brad Brach to the Mets for a young starter.

The Cardinals and Giants are smarting after losing out on Stanton. Good. Trade Manny Machado to them for top pitching prospects (something the Giants don’t have). Mark Trumbo can be sent to a team in exchange for pitching help.

If the Baltimore Orioles are not going to upgrade the rotation seriously, they won’t be able to compete for a division title in the AL East, and probably not for a Wild Card spot either. In that case, the team needs to sell and sell hard.

Remake the competition in the minor leagues to provide pitching depth from top to bottom through trades. Then, you can sign Miguel Gonzalez and Chris Tillman to one-year deals when the market dries up, and use Miguel Castro as your fifth starter.

At that point, you will be looking to the future, not the present. Sign Jonathan Schoop to a long-term contract. Determine whether Adam Jones is an Oriole for life, or not.

Trade Zach Britton to help supplement needs. Maybe it is a young infielder to replace Machado. Perhaps a young outfielder (Michael A. Taylor?) to replace Jones.

If the Orioles are genuinely ‘going for it’ this season, then signing three fifth-spot pitchers is a joke. The team needs to consider either a significant trade or signing Jake Arrieta or Yu Darvish.

If you aren’t going to give that money to a starting pitcher, then it is time to trade away the expiring contracts and prepare for 2019 and beyond.

Next: Orioles Seen as Potential Suitor for Matt Harvey

Dan Duquette knows all of this I’m sure. Whether he is going to execute, however, is another story.