MLB Rumors: 5 likeliest White Sox trade candidates and where they should land

MLB Rumors: 5 likeliest White Sox trade candidates and where they should land, No. 2: Mike Clevinger to the Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles went through their rebuild, in hopes of building a strong young team. In 2023, they are a legit postseason contender. Their top prospects like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson have made it to the show, and general manager Mike Elias has built a quality all-around roster. For the first time in a long time, the Orioles are going to be buyers at the deadline.

One area of need could be the back end of their starting rotation. They don’t have John Means, who suffered a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, specifically a left teres major strain. Other than that, they are getting decent-to-good outings from their starting rotation, but need to add a quality No. 5 starter.

Mike Clevinger is one of their two starting pitchers that are set to become free agents at the end of the season. Clevinger did sign a one-year, $14 million contract this past offseason, with a mutual option for 2024. If the White Sox don’t gain ground on the Twins for first place in the division, Clevinger is a trade deadline candidate.

Through 12 starts this year, Clevinger recorded a 3.88 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP, a 3-4 win-loss record, 53 strikeouts, and 26 walks in 62.2 innings pitched.

It doesn’t have to be Clevinger, but the Orioles should be aiming for a pitcher to add to their rotation. The question is, how many of their top prospects are they willing to flip for a “win-now player?” Hence why we go with a depth pitcher in the rotation in Clevinger.