Boston Red Sox Closing in on an Orioles Top Target
The Baltimore Orioles’ pursuit of pitching will become more difficult as other teams will show interest in players they’re going after
Of the available starters, some of the top names the Orioles have been linked to include Dylan Cease, Corbin Burnes, Lucas Giolito, and others, with all these names drawing interest from multiple teams elsewhere.
According to MLB.com, the Boston Red Sox are showing interest in Giolito.
The right-handed veteran is a buy-low candidate after struggling immensely with the Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Guardians during the second half of the 2023 season. With the Angels, he posted a 6.89 ERA in six starts and and an ERA of 7.04 in six starts with the Guardians.
This was a significant falloff for a starter who posted a sub-four ERA during each season from 2019-2021. In the 21 games he started for the Chicago White Sox before being traded in 2023, Giolito struck out 131 in 121 innings and had an ERA of 3.79.
For Baltimore, Giolito could be someone who comes in with big-league experience but still fits their timeline. The deal likely wouldn’t be for more than a few seasons and, as currently constructed, he could be the No. 3 in their rotation.
At the very least, he’d be an arm that can eat innings.
Since 2018, outside of the COVID season, he’s thrown at least 161 2/3 innings. That’s a huge plus for an arm who’s also found success for most of his career.
As the Orioles continue to look for pitching, decisions will be tough to make. They’ve long been interested in Cease but it still remains to be seen if the White Sox will move him.
Baltimore can’t lose out on other options by trying to land someone who won’t be moved, so expect them to be aggressive in the market soon.
