If Pete Alonso’s introductory press conference felt like a watershed moment for the Baltimore Orioles, it’s because it was. Despite the decent arguments that Baltimore overpaid for Alonso, the mere image of the Polar Bear donning an Orioles uniform in front of the world launched the franchise back into relevance. A win for Mike Elias. And yet, Elias’ work this offseason is far from complete.
Baltimore needs to acquire another impact starting pitcher, and not just an average arm to latch onto the back of the rotation, or some unproven project. To ensure that the Orioles are competitive in the shockingly talented American League East, and to ensure that Baltimore’s new, powerful lineup does not go to waste, Elias needs to go out and get a No. 2 starter or a proven No. 3-type hurler at worst.
The free agent market still has starting pitchers to offer the Orioles, but the competition is fierce
Elias could have taken a victory lap for the ages at the Winter Meetings had he followed up the Alonso signing with a deal for someone like Ranger Suárez. It was an opportunity for all-time GM greatness missed by Elias, but the good news is, Suárez is still available, as are a few other arms that fit Baltimore’s job description.
Framber Valdez and Michael King remain unclaimed. All three of these starters (Valdez, King, and Suárez) were attached to the Orioles in Jim Bowden’s latest free agency treatise, published Wednesday via The Athletic (subscription required).
Elias may need to act quickly and forcefully, however, and he should also be prepared for another “overpay”, as all three of the aforementioned starters have rich suitors on their tails, per Bowden. In addition to the Orioles, Bowden listed the Steve Cohen-funded New York Mets as a Valdez landing spot (as well as the Detroit Tigers). For Suárez, Bowden listed the incumbent Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros; and for King, Baltimore’s division rivals and historical high-spenders, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.
To put it simply, it won’t be easy to sign any of these guys. That doesn’t mean it has to be wildly difficult or complicated, either. Elias could zero in on one of the three (Suárez!) and decide he’s going to live without outbidding anyone else for that pitcher, regardless of the cost.
It sounds desperate, but Elias is clearly desperate to win now. The Alonso move revealed that. Snagging Suárez or Valdez feels essential. If not, Elias could ostensibly shift over to the trade market and advertise Adley Rutschman as bait for the Freddy Peraltas of the world. Even then, though, Elias would run into some of the same competitors he’s staring at in free agency.
Wherever he turns, Elias will see the Red Sox, Yankees, and Mets lining up beside him. You can never rule out the Los Angeles Dodgers from showing up to bully their way to the front of the line, either. It’s time for Elias to buckle down and not back down.
