The Baltimore Orioles have made it very clear that they plan on contending in 2023 and beyond.
After a 110-loss season in 2021, the Orioles came back in 2022 and miraculously found themselves in postseason contention.
Though the team fell short of the postseason yet again, they still managed to win 83 games and finish just three games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the final American League Wild Card spot.
Baltimore was one of four teams to finish above .500 in the ever-competitive AL East.
On Monday, the Orioles made their first move of the offseason, signing veteran right-hander Kyle Gibson to a one-year, $10 million contract.
On Twitter, the team gave Gibson a warm welcome.
We have agreed to terms with RHP Kyle Gibson on a one-year contract for the 2023 season.
Welcome to #Birdland, Kyle! pic.twitter.com/1iPJi9Uqlh
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) December 6, 2022
While not an Earth-shattering move, this is a move that could work out well for the Orioles.
The 35-year-old spent the 2022 season with the Philadelphia Phillies, who reached the World Series for the first time since 2009.
In 31 starts, Gibson won 10 games, but posted a 5.05 ERA.
However, he is not far removed from a solid 2021 season.
In 31 appearances and 30 starts between the Phillies and the Texas Rangers, Gibson went 10-9 and posted a 3.71 ERA.
The right-hander appeared in just two games during the Phillies’ epic run to the World Series, but did not allow an earned run in 2.1 innings of work.
The Orioles will look to potentially add some more starting pitching this offseason.
Gibson gives them a veteran arm who can give them innings and plug a hole in their rotation.
The free agent market is finally taking shape, and several starters have found new homes.
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