The MLB is beginning to get fed up with its small-market teams, as they continue to minimize their payrolls while maximizing profits, putting out poor performances so they can get richer. The Baltimore Orioles haven’t been on this path recently, but they are close after this past season, so they need to shake things up with a big free agent splash.
Fansided’s Christopher Kline believes the move they need to make is to find an ace for their roster, in San Diego Padres star pitcher Dylan Cease.
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“The Baltimore Orioles need an ace, especially with Zach Eflin hitting the open market and Grayson Rodriguez shipped to Anaheim. A failed run at Corbin Burnes last offseason was disappointing in the moment, but it proved that the new ownership group is at least willing to spend on the right piece. Dylan Cease has his bouts of inconsistency, but he's a strikeout machine, and he profiles as one of the most dominant arms in MLB when he's firing on all cylinders. Baltimore needs a set-and-forget option to lead the rotation. Cease might be their best bet,” Kline wrote.
This past season, Cease posted a 4.55 ERA, 215 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.327 over 168 innings pitched. His advanced stats tell a better story, though, as he posted a FIP of 3.56 and a K/9 of 11.5.
Cease is a hot and cold pitcher by season. One season he’s a Cy Young candidate, the next he’s a middle-to-end of rotation guy.
Now, this upcoming season is going to be a good one if he follows his trend. Hopefully, the O’s notice that and start to pursue him right away.
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