One trade, one signing Orioles should make

After posting their first 100-plus win season since 1980, the Baltimore Orioles enter the offseason needing to upgrade their pitching rotation after already signing relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel to take over for their All-Star closer Felix Bautista, who is expected to miss the 2024 season. Armed with a deep farm system and a potent offense, the Orioles are primed to be a problem for years in the American League East.

Here's one trade and one signing the Orioles should make this offseason.

Trade: Acquire RHP Corbin Burnes from the Brewers

If there's one thing that the Orioles lack it's a true top-of-the-rotation pitcher to lead their staff. With pitchers Kyle Bradish and Grayson Rodriguez taking big leaps in 2023, the Orioles still need help if they want to make it out of the ever-improving AL East.

That is where Burnes comes into the equation.

In his sixth season in the MLB in 2023, Burnes posted a 10-8 record with a 3.39 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 200 strikeouts in 193.2 innings pitched while leading the Brewers rotation.

The Brewers will want a big haul in return for the 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner. With a farm system full of talent, the Orioles could use outfielders Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad or infielders Jordan Westburg and Coby Mayo as pieces to acquire the pitcher from the Brewers.

While position players like Cowser and Mayo are a good start, the Orioles will also likely have to include a pitcher or two, perhaps prospects Chayce McDermott or Cade Povich, to entice Milwaukee into pulling the trigger.  

Adding Burnes to the top of their rotation would help the Orioles keep pace with the big-market clubs in their division. 

Signing: Continue upgrading rotation with LHP Jordan Montgomery 

Why stop at one upgrade to the rotation when you can have two? Even better, this one comes with vast AL East experience.

With Bradish and Rodriguez penciled into the starting rotation for 2024, the Orioles are left with pitchers Dean Kremer, Tyler Wells and John Means to fill their rotation. While they had solid 2023 seasons, they still enter the offseason as question marks.

By signing Montgomery, the Orioles would be adding a left-handed pitcher that is coming off a great season that ended with a World Series title with the Texas Rangers.

In 2023, the 30-year-old went 10-11 with a 3.20 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 166 strikeouts in 188.2 innings pitched and made the ALL-MLB second team.

After spending his first five-plus seasons with the New York Yankees, Montgomery is very familiar with the AL East and its ballparks.

While Spotrac's calculated market value has Montgomery projected to get a six-year, $110M deal, his camp is rumored to be looking for more. 

Adding both Burnes and Montgomery to their rotation would help seal the Orioles as a bonified contender in 2024.