ESPN baseball analyst Tim Kurkjian doesn’t believe the Orioles will play at the top of the free-agent market this offseason, but he thinks it’s important for the team to signify that it’s serious about competing … and has a fan favorite in mind for a potential return.
The Orioles traded away Trey Mancini and Jorge López ahead of the Aug. 2 trade deadline, but GM Mike Elias indicated after the deadline that he believed the club was entering a decade-long window of contention. As such, Elias said the club was planning on adding to the major league team during the offseason.
“I think it’s liftoff from here for this team,” Elias told the local media Aug. 3.
So what does that mean in terms of free agency? The top players scheduled to hit free agency, not counting players with looming club options, include:
Starting pitchers — Tyler Anderson, Chris Bassitt, Jacob deGrom (expected to opt out), Nathan Eovaldi, Andrew Heaney, Clayton Kershaw, Corey Kluber, Martín Pérez, José Quintana, Carlos Rodón (opt out), Ross Stripling, Noah Syndergaard, Jameson Taillon, Justin Verlander, Michael Wacha, Adam Wainwright, Taijuan Walker
Infielders — Jose Abreu, Xander Bogaerts (opt out), Carlos Correa (opt out), Brandon Drury, Trey Mancini, Anthony Rizzo (opt out), Dansby Swanson, Trea Turner
Outfielders — Andrew Benintendi, Joey Gallo, Aaron Judge, Brandon Nimmo, Joc Pederson
Kurkjian said Orioles fans should temper their expectations, at least somewhat.
“I think liftoff is a relative term here, fellas. It’s not Aaron Judge. It’s not Carlos Correa. It’s not $200 million,” Kurkjian said on Glenn Clark Radio Aug. 19. “They’re still in the middle of a rebuild, even though a rebuild demands a veteran player to show everyone we’re serious — much like the Nationals did with Jayson Werth [ahead of the 2011 season]. They gave him [$126] million. People were stunned by that, but he ended up being an important guy and it was a signal to everyone else, ‘We’re trying here, we’re spending money here.’ I think that’s necessary, but I don’t know if it’s necessary at $200 million or anything more than that.”
One clear need for Baltimore is the starting rotation. (Orioles starters have thrown 607 innings entering play Aug. 26, sixth fewest in the big leagues.) Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremer, Austin Voth, Spenser Watkins and Tyler Wells are all under club control beyond this year, and John Means (Tommy John surgery) is expected to return at some point next season. Plus, prospects Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall will enter the conversation soon.
The Orioles have an $11 million club option on Jordan Lyles, who has posted a 4.45 ERA in 145.2 innings this year. Regardless of whether they pick up the option on Lyles, the Orioles will need a top-of-the-rotation starter to take a step forward as a team.
Some fans have pointed to Giants lefty Carlos Rodón as a potential solution. The 29-year-old has been an All-Star in back-to-back years.
“Carlos Rodón, of course, would be perfect for the Orioles,” Kurkjian said. “He would be perfect for a lot of teams, and with the way he’s pitched, he’s going to get a ton of money. My guess is they will upgrade at several positions, but they won’t do it with one of the biggest free agents out there because there’s just so much more competition.”
Baltimore also figures to look to bolster its lineup, with the infield being the most discussed area to potentially upgrade. The Orioles were rumored to have checked in on shortstop Carlos Correa last offseason, but the team may now believe it already has its present and future shortstop solutions in the fold between Jorge Mateo, Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, Joey Ortiz and Jackson Holliday.
Beyond that, the Orioles could opt to add a corner bat, and if that’s the case, could they circle back with Mancini in free agency?
“I am such a believer in team chemistry,” Kurkjian said, “and I know it’s corny, but you bring back Trey Mancini, you add him back in, a local hero like that and you put him back in the middle of the order, sure, that is something I am certain they would consider and they should.”
For more from Kurkjian, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox