Where the Free Agency Spending of the Baltimore Orioles Ranks There may be reasons why the Baltimore Orioles haven’t been spending much in free agency thus far.
Craig Kimbrel signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the Orioles last month the team’s sole free-agent signing to date. The Orioles are now No. 18 in the league in terms of free agency expenditures after just one transaction.
The transaction was essential. Kimbrel was among the top closers available, and the Orioles needed one for 2024. Because of Tommy John surgery, the Orioles understood that Félix Bautista, their best closer, would miss the 2024 season.
Although those were signed to minor-league deals, the Orioles recently revealed a number of other acquisitions. Free-agent spending was defined by MLB Trade Rumors as players who signed a guaranteed MLB contract after the deadline of November 6th to begin free agency talks with other teams. Extensions and exchanges were not available on the website.
With over $1 billion in free agency spent, primarily on two players (Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto), no team has spent more than the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Philadelphia Phillies, who have spent $172 million on pitcher Aaron Nola alone, are the second-highest spending team among free agents, trailing only the Dodgers in terms of cost.
There could be a few reasons behind the Orioles’ expenditure.They boast one of the greatest youthful rosters in the league, first and foremost, because of a strong and productive farm system. AL Rookie of the Year went to third baseman Gunnar Henderson. A Silver Slugger Award was shared by Henderson and catcher Adley Rutcshman. In the Cy Young voting and Second-Team All-MLB, pitcher Kyle Bradish finished fourth.
The Orioles have three elite prospects in the system, including infielder Jackson Holliday, the top prospect in the game, and all of their position players are either under contract or under team control.
In addition, the Orioles might be sold soon. It is said that David Rubenstein has discussed purchasing the team with the Angelos family, under the direction of John Angelos. Carlyle Group Inc.’s co-founder is Rubenstein. If one of the Orioles’ young players breaks out, they may be able to afford to spend more money down the road.
The franchise would have security and an opportunity to spend, albeit not immediately, with that and the new 30-year lease at Camden Yards. The Orioles, who just finished with 101 wins, have the means to repeat as champions without having to accomplish much more this summer.