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1. Baltimore Orioles
If I told you the Baltimore Orioles could potentially be big spenders in free agency three years ago, you would’ve spat in my face and thrown me in the river for lunacy. However, fresh off an 83-win campaign in 2022, including a 63-50 record following the debut of top prospect Adley Rutschman, GM Mike Elias stated he was looking to “significantly escalate” his team’s payroll ahead of 2023.
The Orioles are in dire need of an ace, and have almost no money locked up in long-term deals. That makes deGrom a prime candidate to mark the end of Baltimore’s rebuilding phase. deGrom’s presence wouldn’t necessarily ensure the Orioles’ contention in 2023, especially in a division as tough as the AL East, but it would signify that the rebuild that started in 2017 is over and that the team is officially looking to get back in the World Series conversation. For a team that finished 18th in team ERA and 21st in OPS allowed, deGrom would be the biggest get this century. The Orioles would offer the righty a very pitcher-friendly park, and since deGrom’s home run figures climbed up rather drastically in 2022 (from 0.6 allowed per nine innings in 2021 to 1.3 in 2022), that deep left field fence could be very enticing to deGrom.
There haven’t been any rumors revolving around the Orioles and deGrom, but Baltimore has the need, the money, and the bright future necessary to draw that big name they’re looking for. deGrom makes too much sense to pass up, and I’d love to see a move like this from the O’s.
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