Optimism around Orioles should be high with new ownership already paying off
It sure doesn’t seem like a coincidence the Orioles made the huge trade for star starter Corbin Burnes the very day the sale of the team was announced.
There certainly should be optimism for the Orioles with The Carlyle Group co-founder/co-chairman David Rubenstein’s agreement to buy the team for a $1.725 billion valuation.
The Angelos family couldn’t be considered baseball’s worst owners, and they have John Fisher of the A’s to thank.
Maybe there’s a chance, too, now for the Orioles to lock up their many great young stars — including Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson and infield prospect Jackson Holliday (who has a chance to start this year at age 20).
The Angels may hold the key to the rest of the free-agent market. They like Blake Snell and Cody Bellinger, but for now word is circulating that they may not go for the biggest free agents.
Angels owner Arte Moreno has been a big free agent player in the past, and he could change course.
They have a decent young nucleus and enhanced the bullpen (Robert Stephenson and Matt Moore), but fans in the O.C. can’t think that compensates for the loss of Shohei Ohtani.
The Angels also have been linked to Joey Votto and Kiké Hernandez.
The Twins, Padres, Red Sox and Angels are considering the starter market.
Things are heating up for 2023 All-Star Mike Lorenzen, with those teams possible landing spots.
Starters are coveted. Eric Lauer is drawing decent interest.
Other starters who remain free beyond the big two of Snell and Jordan Montgomery, recovering great Clayton Kershaw (seen as unlikely to go anywhere besides the Dodgers or possibly hometown Rangers) and recovering ace Brandon Woodruff, Hyun-Jim Ryu, Mike Clevinger, Zack Greinke and Rich Hill.
The Pirates are among teams considering ex-Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez, who had a terrific year in San Diego and became Snell’s personal catcher.
The Red Sox like Tommy Pham.