More thoughts on the hunt for starting pitching

Let’s be blunt here.

Anyone shocked that the Orioles left the Winter Meetings without a No. 1 starter or upgrade further down the rotation is forgetful or unfamiliar with how the club usually operates. You set yourselves up to be disappointed.

Closer Craig Kimbrel was a surprise signing last December on the final day before executives boarded flights home. The Orioles normally nab a minor league free agent or two, make a selection or two in the Rule 5 draft and hope that talks lead to a later agreement or deal prior to the start of spring training.

Laying groundwork also happens at these meetings. Lines of communication aren’t snipped.

The Corbin Burnes trade was finalized on Feb. 1, a stunner that delivered a legitimate ace on a rental basis. Kyle Bradish was injured, which probably amped the urgency to make a move. That’s how the dots are connected.

The lack of any moves this week in Dallas brings more intense fan angst because starters are flying off the board, whether in free agency or trade. That’s the risk that comes with not striking fast. Burnes remains unsigned but is going to get more than the $218 million that the Yankees bestowed upon Max Fried over eight seasons, a record deal for a left-hander and fourth-largest for any pitcher. The Orioles are more willing to spend under new ownership but have always attached warnings about harming the franchise further down the road.

The first multi-year contract under executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias was handed out to outfielder Tyler O’Neill, at $49.5 million, but it also contained an opt-out after the first of three seasons. Gary Sánchez will be paid $8.5 million, a significant expense for a backup catcher.

“We’ve done a lot of things leading to increased spending, and it’s been pretty continual the last few years, but this is another step forward,” Elias said during Tuesday’s media session at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. “The rebuild, emerging from that, having all the infrastructure in place, the farm system in place, now we’re focusing on the major league payroll. We’re having winning seasons, the fans are coming back. But obviously, the robust, new ownership group that’s taken over are extremely supportive.

“We were able to attack those needs pretty aggressively, and I credit (ownership) support in that. It’s something I hope we’ll see more and more and more of as the years go.”

Of course, a combined $58 million for two players is a long way from Fried and Burnes money.

Even the mid-rotation guys are commanding big salaries, with the Rangers re-signing Nathan Eovaldi to a three-year, $75 million contract. He made sense for the Orioles, like so many others, but there are relatively few bargains. Jack Flaherty, Sean Manaea and Nick Pivetta are gonna cost you, too. And pretty much everyone is hunting for pitching.

The question is whether a rotation without Burnes on top of it but with more depth while Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells work to return from their elbow surgeries can get the Orioles back to the playoffs and maybe a division title that eluded them this year. Can allow for a deeper run than back-to-back first-round sweeps. Anything less will be a failure in the post-rebuild world.

“Corbin’s open to really listening to every team," agent Scott Boras told the media during his annual Winter Meetings circus scrum.

“We’ve been in very close contact with Mike Elias, talking to him regularly. He’s made it very clear that under this ownership they’re going to take steps forward that they haven’t taken in the past.”

Paying Burnes would be a gigantic, Olympian leap, but it also would keep a proven, former Cy Young Award winning, No. 1 starter on the roster.

“There's 30 teams that would love to have it, but there's only so many of those guys out there,” manager Brandon Hyde said during his media session at the Winter Meetings. “If you don't have that true No. 1 type of guy, you have guys that can improve, also. I think Grayson (Rodriguez) has got No. 1 stuff. Grayson could be that guy. I look for him to take a big step forward next year.

“We need to pick up the pieces. Those 33 awesome starts that Burnes gave us and what he brought to our team, and continue to see what happens here with the rest of the offseason with what we bring in.”

A trade keeps looking like a more viable option if some upper-tier prospects can be surrendered. The Orioles were linked to Garrett Crochet, but the Red Sox dealt four prospects ranked within their top 14. It was an impressive haul.

There’s the other issue: Two division rivals obtained top starting pitchers. Fried never seemed like a realistic target for the Orioles, but Crochet came across as doable. However, we don’t know which prospects the White Sox kept asking for in return. Samuel Basallo may be untouchable. Coby Mayo certainly was a year ago at this time.  Enrique Bradfield Jr. is supposed to be the eventual successor to Cedric Mullins.

Dylan Cease rumors heated up again, just like the days when he pitched for the White Sox. The Mariners always have profiled as a logical partner for the Orioles, and their desire for a right-handed hitting corner infielder doesn’t change the narrative. They have Luis Castillo and Bryce Miller. The Pirates reportedly would consider moving Mitch Keller, who really impressed Hyde after the Orioles faced him. Astros left-hander Framber Valdez is on the market. We’ve heard of the Orioles’ interest in Marlins left-hander Jesús Luzardo for years. They liked lefty Jordan Montgomery in the past, though he had a disastrous first season with the Diamondbacks.

The Orioles would have to relinquish players but wouldn’t need to outspend other teams.

Camp opens in the middle of February and the Orioles play their first regular season game on March 27 in Toronto. They’re going to add at least one starter and reliever, and strengthening the bullpen would be a wise strategy if the proven ace eludes them.

There’s still plenty of time to find one, even if it feels like that time is running out.