Fans of the Baltimore Orioles continue to worry as the offseason goes on. Although the front staff has expressed interest in beginning to pitch, many are growing antsy as a contract to sign one of the best arms available is still pending.
This offseason, Shane Bieber, Corbin Burnes, and Dylan Cease have all been mentioned as potential candidates. The Orioles have more than enough in the farm system to land any of them if they so choose.
Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com says the Orioles are a quiet team that may still make a big move, and Baltimore has enough to land all of them if they wanted to.
Even if it is extremely unlikely, dealing for all three demonstrates the strength of baseball’s top farm system. Unrepeatable work has been done by the executive office in creating what may be the greatest farm system in MLB history.
Cease is the obvious pick for them, as he has the opportunity to contend for a World Series both the following season and for many years beyond.
Cease is a first-rate starter with two more years of club control remaining. He also fits their desired timetable because of his youth.
It was anticipated that Baltimore will act before the deadline. They chose not to, though, and instead allowed the inexperienced roster to try to work things out.
They achieved an AL East first-place finish by winning 101 games, which was more than they did. They demonstrated their potential far sooner than anticipated, even though they were swept in the ALDS.
The Orioles need an arm if they want to overcome their playoff sweep from the previous season and contend in the most important games.