As the days wind down on the offseason, more than a few people are wondering why the O’s aren’t being more aggressive in bolstering their roster.
Good morning, Camden Chatters.
It’s safe to say the Orioles’ signing of Charlie Morton last week has failed to fire up the fan base. While Morton isn’t a bad pitcher, the signing of the 41-year-old veteran marks another tepid step in the Birds’ passive offseason, adding players who provide depth but don’t move the needle in boosting the O’s into a World Series contender.
Local and national media are getting impatient. On Sunday, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal criticized the Orioles’ relative inactivity this winter, and yesterday FanGraphs’ Kiri Oler and The Baltimore Banner’s Kyle Goon added to that chorus, arguing that Mike Elias hasn’t been willing or able to take the big swing that’s required to push this O’s roster over the top.
It’s hard to say the skeptics are wrong. I for one was certainly hoping the Orioles would be more aggressive in pursuing impact players, especially in their first offseason under owner David Rubenstein, who has indicated he would provide the kind of financial flexibility that the O’s front office hasn’t had access to for some time. But the O’s haven’t landed any big-name free agents, and in most cases they weren’t even discussed as serious bidders.
In fairness, the Orioles’ front office is notoriously tight-lipped about the club’s negotiations. It’s possible the O’s made very strong offers to a few of the A-list free agents and it simply wasn’t reported. And I must include the standard disclaimer that the offseason isn’t over yet. There’s still a few weeks left for Elias and his crew to make a significant addition or two, as they did last Feb. 1 when they traded for Corbin Burnes.
But if the O’s are indeed finished making any major moves this winter, I’ll join with the voices proclaiming the offseason as a letdown. With so much young talent on hand, now is the time to make bold moves to acquire the key pieces the team is missing, not fiddle around the edges of the roster.
Whatever happens for the next couple of months, the Orioles will still be a good team, probably. But with a little more effort this offseason, they can be more than just good. Let’s hope that Elias has something else up his sleeve before spring begins.
Links
Cal Ripken Jr. broke up with his hometown baseball team. Now the IronBirds’ future is uncertain. – The Baltimore Banner
A bummer of a story about the Orioles’ High-A affiliate, which is in a precarious state after years of disputes between the city and the IronBirds ownership group, causing Ripken to sell his stake in the team. This isn’t exactly how the hometown hero’s story was supposed to play out.
What we’re learning from the Orioles’ offseason – BaltimoreBaseball.com
Steve Cockey offers a counterpoint to the criticism of the O’s offseason, noting that they have spent some money this offseason without signing mediocre players to overpriced deals. But even he acknowledges that the Orioles have a PR problem in overpromising and underdelivering.
Thoughts on ways Orioles can improve in 2025 – School of Roch
Barring a major acquisition, most of the Orioles’ improvement this season will have to come from within. Roch Kubatko looks at some ways that could happen, starting with Adley Rutschman getting his act together.
Don Rovak named Orioles’ chief revenue officer – MLB.com
I stand corrected. Who says the Orioles aren’t making any moves this offseason?
Orioles birthdays and history
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! And happy 29th birthday to Dean Kremer (and his fantastic hair). The right-hander has been in the Orioles’ organization since 2018, when the O’s acquired him as part of the Manny Machado trade, the only useful player of the five they received. He’s 30-30 with a 4.28 ERA in 95 career games, all with the Orioles, and is currently lined up to be the Birds’ third or fourth starter in 2025.
Another member of the 2024 Orioles has a birthday today, but you’re forgiven if you don’t remember him. Thyago Vieira (32) pitched in just one game for the Birds, facing five batters on Memorial Day and failing to retire any of them, to finish his O’s career with an infinity ERA. Well, happy birthday anyway. Other former Orioles born on Jan. 7 include outfielder Kyle Hudson (38) and right-handers Francisco Rodríguez (43) and Ross Grimsley (75).
On this date in 2020, the Orioles signed shortstop Jose Iglesias to a one-year deal. The normally light-hitting veteran ended up playing just 39 games during the pandemic-shortened 60-game season, but was freakishly good when on the field, batting a career best .373/.400/.556 in 150 PAs. The O’s picked up his option for 2021 but then traded him to the Angels for minor leaguers Jean Pinto and Garrett Stallings, neither of whom remain in the Orioles’ organization.