For the Baltimore Orioles, the lights seemed too bright and the stage too big last October as they got swept out of the American League Division Series.
But with the 2024 season ahead, the future looks very promising given the club’s young players and new pitching additions. Based on Baltimore’s recent trajectory, a run to the World Series title could be next. The Orioles won 101 games last year, which was enough to take the top seed in the American League despite having one of the lowest payrolls in MLB.
By adding ace Corbin Burnes and closer Craig Kimbrel to a young nucleus that is still maturing, Baltimore suddenly has the look of a title contender. The acquisitions of Burnes and Kimbrel added nearly $30 million to the 2024 payroll. Their additions fill huge holes in the starting rotation and at closer with Félix Bautista recovering from Tommy John surgery.
“There is a lot of groupthink that goes on in baseball that is this word sustainability and why a team like the Brewers would make this kind of trade,” ESPN MLB analyst David Schoenfield said on Glenn Clark Radio Feb. 7. “They are trying to remain a consistent playoff contender and they’re not going to re-sign Burnes, so that’s why they make this trade.”
Burnes is likely a one-year rental, with the price tag on his next contract expected to be high. The Orioles seem to be gambling big and going all out this year.
“What I love is a team willing to roll the dice a little bit and trade for now. The goal is to try to win a World Series,” Schoenfield said. “The Orioles are in a great position. We know that. The future is bright. There is a potential dynasty brewing here.”
Burnes, 29, has been one of the best starters in baseball dating back to 2020. Speaking to his quality and consistency, he won the 2021 Cy Young Award and finished eighth or better in the voting the three other seasons. Last season, he posted a 3.39 ERA with 200 strikeouts in 193.2 innings.
“In Corbin Burnes, you get a potential No. 1 starter, the kind of guy you’re happy to roll out in the first game of a playoff series,” Schoenfield said.
With Burnes in the fold, the consensus is that the Orioles may have enough to win it all this year. Do the Orioles need to make other moves this year to seal the deal?
“I don’t think they have to,” Schoenfield said, but he added that “the ninth inning is going to be a question all year with Craig Kimbrel.”
One potential candidate the Orioles could target on short-term deals ahead of the season is designated hitter J.D. Martinez, but Schoenfield has doubts about the right-handed sluggers wanting to play in Baltimore. However, a late-season trade is not out of the question to add another bat, a starter or bullpen depth.
Schoenfield expects big things to come from 2023 AL Silver Slugger Award recipients Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson, who could be next on the list for big contract extensions. The most recent big extension around baseball went to Bobby Witt Jr., who signed an 11-year contract worth $288.7 million to stay in Kansas City.
An interesting dynamic at play is the pending change in ownership this year. Historically, the Orioles are not known for big contract extensions and huge signings. Could the historic deal Witt received from the Royals serve as a template for Rutschman?
“I wouldn’t expect a deal like that for Rutschman. For a catcher, it’s risky,” Schoenfield said.
Looking further into the AL East predictions, Schoenfield says New York Yankees slugger Juan Soto might be a preseason AL MVP pick and that the competition in the division should again be fierce. He also says to not be fooled by the injuries the Yankees had in the rotation in 2023.
“Don’t discount the Yankees,” Schoenfield said. “… It wouldn’t surprise me if they sign a Jordan Montgomery or a Blake Snell to add another starter. Juan Soto alone is six or seven wins.”
For more from Schoenfield, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Baltimore Orioles