Breaking: Orioles are linked to a top-tier pitcher in a trade idea

The Baltimore Orioles have a starting pitcher on their minds via free agency or trade. But how complicated does it really have to be?

MLB.com filed a story titled “six bonkers blockbuster trades” and the one the Orioles were connected to fits the bill. It would also, conveniently, give the Orioles a starting pitcher that could anchor their rotation — Dylan Cease.

“I’ve made it very clear that the White Sox are willing to listen in on any of our players,” White Sox general manager Chris Getz said recently.

So, teams can inquire about Cease. He two more controllable years left, which is attractive to any team. He’s emerged as a quality right-hander who finished second in Cy Young voting in 2022 after going 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA.

In 2023 he went 7-9 and his ERA went up to 4.58. But he has a solid track record for his career with a 43-35 record and a 3.83 ERA. He also strikes out 10.8 hitters per nine innings and led the American League in the category in 2021 (12.3).

So, why is this deal so … complicated? Because Cease isn’t actually the centerpiece. The Orioles would benefit from the idea that the Houston Astros would move third baseman Alex Bregman to the New York Yankees.