Fansided

One free agent each MLB team should sign right now

By Joshua Sadlock

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 27: Starting pitcher Alex Cobb
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 27: Starting pitcher Alex Cobb /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 30
Next
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 1: Brett Anderson #46 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium on October 1, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 1: Brett Anderson #46 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium on October 1, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /

Baltimore Orioles: Brett Anderson

The Orioles say they’re not going to be able to afford Lance Lynn or Alex Cobb. It’s probably not so much a matter of not being able to afford either pitcher, but a matter of owner Peter Angelos being deathly afraid of spending middling money on a starter after being burned by Ubaldo Jimenez. The Orioles control their own destiny when it comes to rebuilding an awful starting rotation, but the owner has to get on board for that to happen.

There aren’t many other free-agent starters worth taking a flier on, but it’s hard to imagine the Orioles heading into their final year with Manny Machado, a stated goal of remaining in contention and a starting rotation with two pitchers — Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman — who definitely have what it takes to pitch useful innings for a contender. Andrew Cashner might somehow continue to defy the odds and Chris Tillman might bounce back from a disastrous 2017 season, but it’s unlikely both occur.

Left-hander Brett Anderson was an absolute disaster for the Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays last season, but the fact remains that he is still only 30 and went 10-9 with a 3.69 ERA in 2015 when he was finally able to stay healthy. Betting on Anderson to reverse course on his career after two bad seasons and a long history of health problems is certainly a longshot, but the Orioles should be scratching as many lottery tickets as possible if they are unwilling to open the checkbook for a starter with a better track record.

Baltimore should be trying to capitalize on the slow market with a strong offer for Cobb or Lynn, but they won’t do that until the owner wakes up to the realities of the league. Until that happens, the Orioles need to bring in as many veterans to camp and see what sticks.

Home/MLB