Latest on pitching market and wondering where Orioles can find their starter

Exactly one week ago, the Winter Meetings reached their busiest scheduled day with a Baseball Writers’ Association of America meeting, followed by Commissioner Rob Manfred’s media session, agent Scott Boras’ traditional lobby scrum, manager Brandon Hyde’s media gathering, executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias’ daily session in his suite, and the first draft lottery.

The Orioles signed outfielder Nomar Mazara and infielder Josh Lester to minor league contracts.

Seems like only yesterday.

Four moves followed, but all of them in the Rule 5 draft – reliever Andrew Politi the lone selection in the major league phase. Others are coming, but at a slow pace rather than a sudden burst.

Two more free-agent pitchers linked to the Orioles have tumbled off the board.

Left-hander Sean Manaea agreed to a two-year, $25 million deal with the Giants yesterday that included an opt-out after the 2023 season. The Blue Jays are signing Chris Bassitt for $63 million over three years.

The market has gone crazy, with one shining example – make that blinding – the 11-year, $280 million deal that shortstop Xander Bogaerts secured from the Padres. MLBTradeRumors.com projected that Bogaerts would receive $189 million over seven years.

Outfielder Brandon Nimmo was projected to sign for $110 over five years. The Mets gave him $162 million over eight.

Jameson Taillon and Taijuan Walker signed for four years, as anticipated, but for $68 million (Cubs) and $72 million (Phillies), respectively.

Manaea actually spun the other way. Trade Rumors had him signing for $52 million over four years. I didn’t think he’d agree to anything below three years, certainly not in this market, but he was available at two guaranteed.

Trade Rumors got the years right with Bassitt but had the money at $60 million. Close enough.

Noah Syndergaard, Nathan Eovaldi, Ross Stripling, Michael Wacha and Corey Kluber are counted among the starters left on the market, but it’s unclear exactly where the Orioles are drawing the financial line. And many of the unsigned pitchers would be major reaches as No. 1 starters.  

Kyle Gibson, who’s received the only major league deal from the Orioles at $10 million for the 2023 season, was viewed as occupying a spot at the backend of the rotation. Let’s see how the rest of the offseason plays out before sticking him with that designation.

While trying to ascertain the Orioles’ comfort zone for starters, I’m again left to wonder whether a trade is more likely to happen. The teams have to agree on the return, but the contract is set and the player has no say in it – unless there’s a no-trade clause, of course.

Dip into the deep pool of prospects and hope there are no regrets later.

Surrender talent from the major league lineup, bank on prospects as replacements, and hope there are no regrets later.

Meanwhile, anyone know the last time before yesterday that three catchers were involved in a three-team trade?

Sean Murphy went to the Braves, Manny Piña to the Athletics and William Contreras to the Brewers. Nine players comprised the entire transaction.

The Orioles are willing to sign a backup catcher to a major league contract. A trade seems less likely but deals like yesterday’s three-teamer could allow the free-agent market to begin taking “full shape,” as Elias phrased it last week.