Baltimore Orioles’ Ace Desire Affirmed, as Dylan Cease Rumors Build Despite Hefty Asking Price

Multiple MLB teams have used the off-season to fulfill their vacancies and demands. However, to everyone’s surprise, the AL East champions, the Baltimore Orioles are yet to make any major signings. Given that their rivals have spent a lot, this has raised many questions about their planning for the next season, including whether the O’s are planning to start the 2024 season without any addition to the pitching department. However, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal thinks that this is not entirely true.

The 2023 season broke many perceptions of big spending. Multiple teams with lower budgets than the league’s average made it to playoffs, highlighting the smart investing. It seems the Orioles have maintained the same approach and not spent much because of this. But according to Rosenthal, the O’s need a pitching ace and are expected to make a move in the coming days. However, given the constrained market, only a few options, including Dylan Cease, left for them. What are those? Can they get any of them?

Ken Rosenthal Confirms Baltimore Orioles’s Interest for a Pitching Ace

It was a memorable season for the Baltimore Orioles. They defied the odds to win at the top of the AL East and make it to the playoffs. Although, they lost the race to the World Series, the success set up a tone for the next season. However, given that they could have won the championships, some loopholes needed to be addressed. But the silence from the O’s has not gone in this way, but there might be a change.

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Orioles are looking for an ace pitcher. He shared, “They would like to. I would put it that way, I don’t know that I would call it heat.” He added that the reason behind this is that they are yet to replace Kyle Gibson’s pinching ability. This pulls them towards Dylan Cease, who is available. With a farm system and multiple options, they can trade them to make a deal. However, the only problem seems to be the asking price from the Chicago White Sox.

Given that multiple teams have not been able to agree with the Sox, this shows the cost is very high. This means the O’s may also move out from this trade and move for a different player to fulfill their need. Are there enough options for them to make it happen?

What Will the Orioles Do to Fulfill Their Pitching Need?

If not Dylan Cease, whom Baltimore can sign from the market, Jordan Montgomery or Blake Snell? Montgomery and Snell have done amazingly well in the last few seasons. Being regular on the mound, they have averaged around 180 innings.

With the Baltimore Orioles looking for this capability, signing anyone from these two makes sense. But the concern remains is the asking price.

Read More: MLB Updates: Dylan Cease Trade Buzz Intensifies, White Sox GM Awaits Best Offer Amidst Growing List of Suitors

With the average payroll budget close to 80 million in 2024, the expectation of spending more than 20 million on a pitcher does not make sense. But if they do, will they look for Cease with the future in mind or prefer experience on the mound? What are your thoughts on this? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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