My opinion in principle depends on the duration of the FA contract. For the Orioles as currently constructed, the roster will be inexpensive over next 3 years with most premium guys either pre-arb or early arb years. That would make me lean toward FA signing of elite SP this upcoming offseason.
Now last winter we saw only Nola receive long duration contract at 7yrs (I’m putting Yamamoto & Ohtani in separate category given the JP marketing angle). The industry seemed reticent to give $$$ and length to the other premium SPs (Snell, Montgomery) but was this Boras driven? Would the premium SPs be willing to sign 3-4 yr deals at higher AAVs or instead play out essentially one year deals? Example — would a guy like Burnes go for 4/175M?
the market dynamics will be interesting this upcoming offseason with demand (which big market clubs pursuing — Cubs, LAA, SFG, NYY?) and supply (Burnes, Fried as FAs and Montgomery, Snell, Cole as potential opt outs). As well as Boras negotiating factor.