MLB Rumors: Baltimore Orioles Have Interest In 2 Free Agents

The Baltimore Orioles haven't been nearly as busy this offseason as many pundits predicted, preferring to sit back and enjoy the growth of their treasure trove of young studs. But the latest notes from MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal has the O's considering free agent veterans Zack Greinke and Jurickson Profar. 

Rosenthal notes that the Orioles are continuing to explore trades for a starting pitcher, with the rotation being their biggest need. 

The O's offseason activity has been limited to signing second baseman/outfielder Adam Frazier to a one-year deal, signing 35-year-old pitcher Kyle Gibson and reliever Mychal Givens, also both to one-year contracts. 

Gibson and his career 4.52 ERA (5.05 last year) won't move the needle much for a team looking for help in the rotation. 

Greinke, however, can still deliver at the major league level. He posted a 3.68 ERA with the Kansas City Royals in 2022 and an ERA+ of 111 (11% better than the average pitcher), though his strikeout rate was down to a career-low of 4.8 K/9. But he has a 19-year lifetime ERA of 3.42, and seven All-Star appearances, as recently as 2019. 

After nine years in the majors, Profar has settled in as a left fielder, after an early-career super-utility role. He was an above-average hitter last year with the San Diego Padres, finishing with 15 HR, 82 runs, a .723 OPS and an OPS+ of 111. 

Alas, Rosenthal opines that the Orioles "are not especially confident of landing either player."

But Orioles fans still have an elite and exciting young core to watch, including 2022 Rookie of the Year finalist Adley Rutschman, 2023 No. 1 prospect in all of baseball Gunnar Henderson, the No. 2 pitching prospect, Grayson Rodriguez, and more. 

Photo: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports