DALLAS—In Mike Elias’ first day at the Winter Meetings, the signings of outfielder Tyler O’Neill and catcher Gary Sánchez still weren’t made official, and the focus remains on trying to obtain a top starter.
Last season’s Oriole ace, Corbin Burnes, is the top starter in the free-agent market and being pursued by a number of teams, including the Orioles.
Elias said the team is “in on everybody. We’re talking to everybody.”
Over the weekend, The Athletic reported that the Orioles are shying away from pitchers with qualifying offers attached to them — Max Fried, Sean Manaea and Nick Pivetta.
The Orioles’ executive vice president/general manager said that’s not the case.
“When there’s aspects of the rules that create wrinkles, you’ve got to weigh them. We do that,” Elias said. “There is no player that we’re not interested in or pursuing in some shape or fashion if we feel like the talent is additive to the current roster we have.”
With the support of new owner David Rubenstein, Elias said he’s having discussions in the upper end of the market.
“Very confident shopping in it and we have been,” he said. “We continue to be. The competition is enormous. Last year we were able to figure out how to get a top of the rotation starter. I don’t think that’s something that all 30 teams pull off every year. We’re all trying.
“I’m going to do my best to figure it out. We’ll make sure we have a really good team at the end of this offseason, and I think that’s the main goal here.”
Elias said he will consider free agency or trades to improve the team’s pitching.
“All of the above. There aren’t too many teams making their major league players available for prospects right now,” he said. “Those that are, we’re deeply engaged with those teams. Those that aren’t in that mode, we’re exploring more major league for major league trades, which obviously take unique fits on the roster.”
Elias said that the Orioles’ starting rotation, which currently includes right-handers Zach Eflin, Dean Kremer and Grayson Rodriguez and left-hander Cade Povich, is a strong one.
“I like where the rotation is starting from this year,” he said. “We’re trying to augment it, trying to supplement it, trying to fortify it. We’re doing that both through free agency and trade.”
He won’t eliminate trying to add an “innings-eater,” a starter such as Jordan Lyles or Kyle Gibson, free-agent signings for 2022 and 2023.
“We’ve got all those options on the board and having those conversations and just kind of looking for the right deals.”
It’s possible that the Orioles will sign more than one starting pitcher.
“There are scenarios where I can see that happening,” he said. “No guarantees.”
Elias said that the Orioles are also looking at relievers. Last month, they declined left-hander Danny Coulombe’s $4 million option for 2025 and declined to offer right-hander Jacob Webb a contract for next year.
“I could see scenarios where we acquire more relievers including [Coulombe and Webb].” he said. “We’ve got the whole pitching market up on the board. We’re just trying to find a place where we can find a deal and can strike.”
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