Baltimore Orioles named best free agent flamethrower

The Baltimore Orioles have failed in their multiple attempts to upgrade their bullpen over the past year, but could change that luck by bringing in an elite pitcher in free agency.

Looking for the best options for MLB’s top free agents this offseason, ESPN’s David Schoenfield has the Orioles linked to San Diego Padres reliever Tanner Scott.

Scott was a trade target for Baltimore before ultimately ending up with the Padres. Now the Orioles have another chance to bring him in.

“Baltimore does have Felix Bautista coming off Tommy John surgery, but they will want more certainty after the Craig Kimbrel signing didn’t work out and their bullpen finished 23rd in the majors with a 4.23 ERA,” Shenfield said. “Signing Scott—and bringing him back to the original organization—won’t cost as much as a premium starting pitcher, but could bring the same value to the Orioles, especially in the postseason, where we saw the need for a deep, dominant bullpen.”

Bautista’s return shouldn’t irritate Baltimore too much, no matter how confident the team is that he’ll be ready to start the season.

While Scott solidified his value as a dominant player for the Miami Marlins last season, San Diego proved he can still bring a lot of value as an elite pitcher.

The Orioles are the team that originally selected the left-hander in the sixth round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Howard College.

He was fine during his initial stint with the team, but it’s no surprise that they decided to trade him before the 2022 season. In his first five years in Baltimore, he posted just a 4.73 ERA.

The draft pick he was originally traded for turned into Jud Fabian, an outfielder who is currently the No. 11 prospect in the farm system.

The Marlins moved him into a more closing role and he shined. He found success in the 2023 season, where he posted a 2.31 ERA and .987 WHIP with 12 K/9.

His strikeout rate dropped slightly last season, but he still finished with an elite 1.75 ERA between Miami and the Padres.

The 30-year-old has been as good in his preparation as he has been in his final appearances this season, meaning he’s a versatile player the Orioles can move around to fill whatever they need. He will simply be a huge upgrade to their bullpen, no matter what they ask him to do.