The prediction about the Baltimore Orioles is if they do land the ace they’re looking for this offseason, it would come via a trade and not free agency.
The elite starters still available are likely too pricy for ownership and the front office to spend for, and others on the market might not be seen as top-of-the-rotation guys.
However, one player who has been linked as a fit for the Orioles is two-time All-Star Marcus Stroman, who is coming off a first-half of his 2023 season that had him in the mix for the National League Cy Young award.
Stroman has the makings of an ace, but inconsistent play and injuries might slot him into a secondary or tertiary role within Baltimore’s rotation.
That would still be a massive upgrade compared to what the front office has pursued in the past.
But, if the Orioles are interested in signing the right-hander, it seems like they have some major competition within their own division.
MLB insider Jon Morosi reported Baltimore’s rival New York Yankees could be getting close to signing the 32-year-old.
“The Yankees have emerged as the top candidate to sign Marcus Stroman, source says. I’m told the sides have had productive discussions in recent days,” Morosi posted on his social media account.
Stroman is no stranger to major markets, having previously played for the New York Mets and spending the last two seasons with the Chicago Cubs.
The Orioles are searching for starting arms in their rotation, that’s abundantly clear.
If they aren’t able to land Stroman it seems like it’s all or nothing in the trade market, or they’ll go back to adding back-end starters like they have the past few offseasons.
