The Baltimore Orioles are in search of reinforcements for their bullpen in the wake of Felix Bautista’s injury, and the latest name on their radar is
. This interest was revealed by Jon Morosi of MLB Network, who noted that Stephenson has been a highly sought-after free-agent reliever in the ongoing offseason. The Orioles, heavily reliant on their bullpen in the past season, are keen to maintain that strategy in 2024. However, the challenge looms large with Bautista, an All-Star closer, likely to miss the entire season due to Tommy John surgery.
The absence of Bautista creates a significant void that the Orioles hope Stephenson, a right-handed pitcher with recent success as a reliever, can help fill. Stephenson, who transitioned from being a starter to a reliever, showcased his prowess with a notable stint with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023. Despite struggling during his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the 30-year-old found his rhythm in Tampa Bay, boasting impressive statistics such as a 2.35 ERA and a remarkable 0.678 WHIP across 42 games.
In the realm of MLB free agency, Stephenson’s profile has garnered attention not only from the Orioles but also from other contenders like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs. The prospect of a multi-year contract further underscores his desirability in the market. For the Orioles, traditionally focused on building from within and possessing a formidable farm system, the consideration of adding experienced players from free agency, like Stephenson, could inject valuable veteran leadership into their roster.
While the Orioles haven’t been prominently featured in rumors surrounding star players this offseason, their pursuit of Stephenson signals a potential shift in their approach. The extent of their aggression in the free-agent market remains uncertain, but given their current situation, they emerge as a team worth monitoring. As the offseason unfolds, updates on the Orioles’ activities and potential acquisitions will be closely monitored and reported.
Leave a Reply