Baltimore Orioles: 2 Glaring Needs This Offseason

 

The Baltimore Orioles made an unexpected jump in 2022. Following 100-loss seasons in each of the last three full campaigns, the O's joined the Wild Card chase this year until the final week or so of the season, finishing with 83 wins, their highest total in six years. 

They introduced a couple of blue-chip prospects who proved they were ready for the majors, in catcher Adley Rutschman and infielder Gunnar Henderson, and have some serious upside for the future. 

But that doesn't mean this team doesn't have some glaring needs they need to address this winter. Following are the two that are top of the list. 

An Ace for the Rotation

This is the team's biggest weakness right now; a starting rotation that lacked any real sort of bite. Although top prospects Grayson Rodriguez and D.L. Hall should be ready to produce in the majors very soon, they need a proven vet at the top of the rotation. 

Orioles GM Mike Elias claims he'll have the money to spend this winter. Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Elias said on MLB Network Radio last month that the Orioles’ plan this offseason was to “significantly escalate the payroll” and “explore free agency much more aggressively.”

Pitching is one spot they're expected to "explore aggressively". There are a few free agents that would fit that bill, including Jacob deGrom, Carlos Rodon, and, to a somewhat more economical extent, Chris Bassitt, Nathan Eovaldi, Jameson Taillon, Corey Kluber and Michael Wacha are other names that have been mentioned.

The Orioles are viewed by many in the industry as a sleeper team for Jacob deGrom.#BirdLand #LGM

— MLBScoops (@mlb_scoops) October 27, 2022

A Power Bat For The Middle of the Order

We can combine two major needs in one here; that is, kill two birds with one stone by fishing in the free agent shortstop pool. The offense out of the middle infield was lacking, and with the need for a power bat for the meat of the order, both could be solved by bringing in a Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts or Dansby Swanson. None of those will come cheaply, and in the case of the latter two, their incumbent teams will do everything in their power to keep them in Boston and Atlanta, respectively. But if the O's are serious about spending, this would be another prime way to do it. 

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