The Orioles will seek an ace this offseason.
Their first priority: trying to re-sign Corbin Burnes.
Nevertheless, Burnes is expected to have a robust market and it could be an uphill battle for small-market Baltimore, even with a new owner who will try harder than the Angelos clan.
Max Fried is the other obvious available ace, so he makes sense for the Orioles, especially as a lefty with their ballpark configuration.
Blake Snell will opt out, so he’s another who fits them.
Garrett Crochet will be available via trade, and without the innings issue should command a ton. He’d fit the O’s, too, especially with their prospect stash.
Baltimore likes Sean Manaea, too.
They made a run at him two years ago, but he went with the Giants.
Manaea did say on The Post podcast “The Show” that a return to Queens “wouldn’t take a lot of convincing.”
He’ll have a big market after opting out.
The Orioles love Anthony Santander, who staged an enormous platform year (44 homers).
They love him in the clubhouse, too.
Baltimore would like a right-handed hitting outfielder (Tyler O’Neill?).
But while their reconfigured dimensions with the deep left field might help in their pursuit of pitchers, luring a righty hitter may not be as easy.
Nepotism’s favorite team, the Reds, finally fired David Bell, who was hired without MLB managerial experience after the more experienced Joe Girardi, Buck Showalter and Brad Ausmus were considered.
Bell’s dad Buddy Bell was on a small hiring committee as were two other Bell buddies.
If there aren’t any favorite nephews hanging around, ex-Reds Skip Schumaker and David Ross make good candidates for Cincy, as does Reds legend/broadcaster Barry Larkin.
Schumaker should be coveted by all teams with openings, so he will be pricey for the Reds, who must pay Bell two more years.
The White Sox may need to go young for manager.
Well-regarded Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty and Pirates bench coach Don Kelly make sense there.
Nothing official yet, but many believe Cardinals honcho John Mozeliak comes back for another year in charge.
He’s having a good run (except the last two so-so seasons), but some think he could decide 2025 is his last year running their baseball ops.
When Mozeliak leaves, ex-Red Sox GM Chaim Bloom, who did a nice job building up Boston’s farm system, is seen as a possible successor in St. Louis.
