The Baltimore Orioles find themselves in a position where they must invest this offseason. Right-hander Corbin Burnes is a free agent, and there’s no certainty about his return.
As a result, the Orioles will need to either sign or trade for a top-tier starting pitcher. Burnes could be an option, but if he moves on, they’ll have to explore other alternatives.
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report recently predicted that the Orioles would ultimately sign left-hander Max Fried.
“The O’s will face significant competition in their efforts to re-sign ace Corbin Burnes, and if they can’t bring him back, they’ll need to act quickly to find a reliable replacement to lead the rotation,” Reuter wrote. “Max Fried, Blake Snell, Jack Flaherty, Sean Manaea, and Nathan Eovaldi are among the other top-tier arms available.”
Though Fried has dealt with a few injuries in recent years, he’s largely remained healthy. In the most recent season, he made 29 starts for the Atlanta Braves, posting an 11-10 record with a 3.25 ERA, 174 1/3 innings pitched, 166 strikeouts, and a 3.5 WAR.
The experienced left-hander won’t come cheaply, but it’s worth noting that the Orioles are now under new ownership, and David Rubenstein may be more inclined to spend generously than his predecessor, John Angelos.
Fried has been frequently connected to the Orioles this offseason, and his addition would certainly strengthen their rotation. A proven performer in high-pressure situations, he started and won the deciding game of the 2021 World Series for the Braves.
It will be interesting to watch how the market for the left-hander unfolds.
