By james art The Baltimore Orioles are heading into the offseason looking to improve a team that won over 90 games and reached the playoffs in 2024 as the franchise hopes to get into the World Series conversation.
Although the Orioles have had a very successful rebuild and become one of the best teams in the American League over the last two years, making the jump to being a contender is difficult.
Last offseason, the Orioles made a big splash by acquiring Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers in a blockbuster trade. Baltimore hoped that the deal to acquire Burns would help be the missing piece, but it still wasn’t enough to get them a playoff series win.
Now their ace will be a free agent, and while keeping him is the most important thing for the franchise, they must also look to improve. Starting pitching even with the right-hander could require some improvement, and the Seattle Mariners’ Logan Gilbert was recently linked to Baltimore.
Here are four reasons the Orioles should pursue the talented right-hander.
With the goal being to sign their ace this offseason in free agency, a pairing of Gilbert and Burns would be very appealing. Considering the New York Yankees are in the World Series in their own division, the Orioles know passing them will not be an easy task. Having two aces at the top of the rotation to go along with their talented lineup would make them a real threat.
Making another blockbuster winter trade won’t be cheap for Baltimore, but the good thing is that they should have players and prospects that the Mariners would like.
Considering Seattle had one of the worst lineups in baseball last season, they need to make some improvements in that area, and the Orioles have the offensive depth to help them accomplish that in exchange for their ace.
In the worst-case scenario for Baltimore this offseason that they lose Burns in free agency, it will be important to find some replacements. While replacing an All-Star and true ace on the staff isn’t easy, a pitcher like Gilbert can help soften the blow. Ideally, the right-hander would be a compliment to their ace, but would also be good insurance if he leaves.
After winning a lot of games and making the playoffs the last two years, this Orioles core must now think about the next step. Winning a World Series isn’t easy, but Baltimore has plenty of righty pieces with a young superstar in Gunnar Henderson leading the lineup.
If the pitching staff can compliment the young lineup, the Orioles may be able to get over the hump and compete for a title.