The Baltimore Orioles have stunned everyone with their offseason so far, signing multiple free agents, with the biggest among them being Pete Alonso. However, there is one last move that could make this offseason from awesome to legendary.
According to Fansided’s Christopher Kline, that move is a blockbuster trade for the two-time Cy Young, Tarik Skubal. Skubal’s at the end of his rope with his current team, the Detroit Tigers, so getting him might not be too hard.
“The Baltimore Orioles are perhaps the most interesting team in the hypothetical Skubal sweepstakes. Traditionally, Baltimore would not come close to qualifying as a team that could pay Skubal as a free agent. But their willingness to shell out $150 million to Pete Alonso does signal a changing of the tides. The O’s are still a smaller market and thus at a huge disadvantage, but after trying to re-sign Corbin Barnes, and after being connected to top free agent arms like Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez for months, it at least merits consideration. Baltimore lacks quality young pitching to send Detroit (reroute Shane Baz, perhaps? Cade Povich?) But their stockpile of up-and-coming bats is substantial. Coby Mayo, Dylan Beavers, Enrique Bradfield, even Samuel Basallo — all these names could appeal greatly to the power-needy Tigers,” Kline wrote.
This past season, Skubal posted a 13-6 record, a 2.21 ERA, 241 Ks, and a WHIP of 0.891 over 195 innings pitched. Pair him up with Trevor Rogers fresh off a breakout season, and the Orioles could dominate the AL East.
On his current contract, though, the O’s would only have him for a year. So, if they do trade for him, they need to be ready to pony up for his projected eight-year, $299 million deal.
If they can, then this is the move to make. Hopefully, they do and push themselves into being World Series favorites.
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