Following back-to-back seasons of postseason eliminations without a single win, The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly "all in" on a top free agent this winter.
In February, the Orioles made a blockbuster trade for right-handed ace Corbin Burnes in his final year before free agency. Burnes posted a 2.92 ERA across his 32 starts for Baltimore, earning his fourth-consecutive All Star appearance. But with the 30-year-old now testing free agency, the Orioles reportedly have their sights set elsewhere.
"The Orioles, (Boston) Red Sox and (Toronto) Blue Jays are all in on at least (Max) Fried," reported Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
With pressure to regain their seat atop the American League East, Corbin Burnes on the open market, and two divisional rivals eyeing the same target, the Orioles may have the most reason to pursue Fried aggressively.
The two-time All Star has a career 3.07 ERA (140 ERA+) in 151 starts across his eight seasons with the Atlanta Braves. In his 174 and a third innings pitched in 2024, his batting average against was just .226 and racked up 166 strikeouts.
David Rubenstein and his investment group took full control of the Orioles in August. With the change in ownership, most expect the Orioles to be spenders and supplement their core group of young talent that their drafting and development has cultivated. If there was ever a time for the Orioles to be top suitors for a pitcher of Fried's caliber, it is right now.
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