Today, Jon Morosi of MLB Network provided an update on the offseason strategy for the Baltimore Orioles, a team that won 83 games and came very close to reaching the postseason, finishing just three games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the final Wild Card spot in the American League.
According to his report, the Orioles are looking at right-hander Michael Wacha is a potential option for the starting rotation.
Baltimore has made it clear that they intend to compete in 2023 and have expressed interest in starting pitchers.
On Twitter, an Orioles fan expressed mixed feelings about the rumors, saying that it wouldn’t be a bad deal, but that it isn’t exactly the move the Orioles need.
Honestly Michael Wacha would probably be the best addition for the O’s of the offseason so far so I wouldn’t hate it.
However not necessarily what I was hoping for.
— Orioles Haiku (@Os_poems) December 15, 2022
Wacha’s Resume
Baltimore recently signed veteran right-hander Kyle Gibson to a one-year deal.
The team already has John Means at the top of the rotation, assuming he can stay healthy in 2023.
Wacha himself has been somewhat of a mixed bag over the years.
After breaking into the big leagues in 2013 with the St. Louis Cardinals, the right-hander earned NLCS MVP honors.
Then came some struggles with injuries, most notably a stress reaction in his right shoulder that has continued to plague him.
Still, the right-hander was an All-Star in 2015 and was a key piece of the Cardinals rotation until his departure in 2019.
After a few down seasons with the New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays, the Boston Red Sox took a chance on the former NLCS MVP, signing him to a one-year deal.
The 31-year-old won 11 games and posted a 3.32 ERA, but was limited to 23 starts due to his ongoing shoulder issue.
But if he could stay healthy, he could be a valuable addition to the team, should they go that route.
NEXT: MLB Insider Reveals Michael Wacha Update