After veteran left-hander James Paxton signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, are any pitchers left for the Baltimore Orioles?
James Paxton and the Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly agreed to a one-year, $11 million contract with incentives. Before signing with Los Angeles, Paxton was one of the many pitching targets linked to the Orioles this offseason. Baltimore’s need for a starting pitcher was made clear after the 101-win AL East champions were swept in the ALDS.
The Baltimore Orioles know they must add a veteran arm to their young rotation. But the Orioles are working within a budget and have yet to budge this offseason. Will the budget-conscious Birds add an ace to their rotation before Opening Day?
Who Won’t Pitch for the Orioles in 2024
Over a month has passed since the Orioles added Craig Kimbrel and Jonathan Heasley to their bullpen. Dylan Cease has been at the forefront of Orioles trade rumors. But with Chicago’s high asking price, fans will likely not see Cease rocking the black and orange on Opening Day.
Outside of Paxton and Cease, Baltimore has also been linked to Marlins pitcher Jesús Luzardo. Even though Miami has not taken anyone off the table, the chances of Luzardo being traded this winter are slim.
Veteran left-handers Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery have also been linked to the Orioles this offseason. Despite being great additions, their market value and Baltimore’s unwillingness to exceed their budget means neither one will be Birdland’s next ace.
Realistic Pitching Options for Baltimore
With five starters seemingly off the table and Spring Training just weeks away, time is running out for Baltimore. The Orioles only want to add an elite pitcher if the price is right. However, it is unclear what the “right price” is.
Given the Orioles strict budget, signing a pitcher from one of the middle tiers seems obvious. Of the middle-tier starters still available are Mike Clevinger, Michael Lorenzen, and Hyun-jin Ryu.
Mike Clevinger
Clevinger had a 9-9 record with a 3.77 ERA and 110 strikeouts over 24 starts for the White Sox in 2023. The 33-year-old right-hander has a 60-39 record and a 3.45 ERA with an 804/282 K/BB ratio over his seven-year career. Despite two minor stints on the injured list, Clevinger won more games and had a lower ERA than teammate Dylan Cease last season. His value of $13.65 million does put him at the higher end of the middle-tier options. But Clevinger is arguably the best option for Baltimore and would be well worth the money.
Michael Lorenzen
Right-hander Michael Lorenzen split his 2023 campaign between Detroit and Philadelphia. In 18 starts for Detroit, Lorenzen had a 5-7 record with a 3.58 ERA and 83 strikeouts. He was dealt to the Phillies at the deadline but struggled in Philadelphia after his no-hitter debut. Lorenzen finished the 2023 season with a 9-9 record, a 4.18 ERA, and 111 strikeouts over 25 starts. Over his nine seasons, Lorenzen holds a 40-38 record and a 4.11 ERA with a 602/288 K/BB ratio. With a market value of $9.2 million, Lorenzen is a strong and budget-friendly pitching option for the Orioles. Lorenzen, a first-time All-Star last season, hosted a bullpen session for 16 teams on Tuesday alongside fellow free agent Noah Syndergaard. The Orioles must act quickly to avoid missing out on another starting pitcher.
Hyun-jin Ryu
Another middle-tier option still available is left-hander Hyun-jin Ryu. Ryu was limited to 11 starts in 2023 after most of the season recovering from Tommy John surgery. He put together a 3-3 record with a 3.46 ERA and a 38/14 K/BB ratio last season. Ryu has a 78-48 record and a 3.27 ERA over his decade of MLB service time. Ryu spent his first six seasons with the Dodgers and was second in NL Cy Young voting in 2019. He signed a four-year deal with Toronto in 2020 and finished third in AL Cy Young voting following the shortened 2020 season. Ryu has struggled with injuries recently, but his $8.1 million price tag could entice Baltimore to sign him. Orioles fans will have to hope that Ryu stays healthy.
Will The Orioles Have a Pitcher for Opening Day?
The Baltimore Orioles know that they need a starting pitcher. It was painfully evident after the Orioles were swept by the Rangers in the ALDS last October. While the Orioles hope to sign a pitcher, they are only willing to sign one for the right price. Despite having the third lowest payroll and one of the best farm systems in MLB, the “right price” is still unclear. Opening Day is two months away, and the Baltimore Orioles may be without an ace again.
Main Photo Credits: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
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