The Baltimore Orioles are coming off of a season that saw them win 91 games and secure a wild card spot. Despite losing to the Royals in the Wild Card round in the 2024 postseason, the year was a success.

The Orioles have been producing young positional talent for the last few seasons and are primed to head back to October in 2025.

The main issue that fans have with the team heading into the 2025 season is the pitching staff. Corbin Burnes left for the heat of Arizona this winter and left a hole at the front end of the rotation that the Orioles will need to fill this year, either with an internal solution or through a trade.

Former Orioles’ starter Jack Flaherty signed a two-year deal with the Tigers, taking him off the market as a potential option.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the San Diego Padres are considering moving Michael King. The right hander was a piece from the Juan Soto trade that occurred last winter. During his tenure in the Bronx, King was a steady piece in the Yankees bullpen.

King would appear in 49 games for the Yankees in 2023, starting 9 games. In the offseason the Yankees used King as a piece in the blockbuster deal that ended with Soto in pinstripes.

Following the trade to San Diego, King was converted to a full time starter for the Padres. He went on to have the best year of his young career in 2024, finishing the season with a 2.95 ERA over 30 starts where he accumulated 173.2 innings.

King would also finish 7th in the NL Cy Young voting last season. He is an appealing candidate to replace Burnes moving forward, especially considering the youth in Baltimore.

Orioles listed as number 1 landing spot for Padres star

Zachary Rymer of Bleacher Report ranked the ten best landing spots for King following the reports that San Diego was shopping him. Baltimore was ranked as the best landing spot for the right hander among the rumors.

Rymer also proposed a trade that would include the Orioles sending RHP Dean Kremer and OF Heston Kjerstad to San Diego for King and RHP Jason Adam.

While fans may not like to see Kjerstad moved, the outfield is crowded as we get ready to head to spring training and the chances that someone is included in a trade this year seems likely.

Michael King is not the only pitcher in San Diego that the Orioles have their eyes on for this season. Jon Paul Morosi linked them Dylan Cease as well.

Morosi has also linked the Orioles to Seattle Mariners ace, Luis Castillo. Despite the departure of Burnes the Orioles have added Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano this winter, bringing some fresh faces to the O’s rotation.

Burnes departure has left a hole that Baltimore wants to fill within the rotation.

Even if the Orioles do not make a move prior to Opening Day there is the expectation that they will be active at the trade deadline.