8. LHP Boone Logan
Opening Day Age: 32
Stats: 2-5, 3.69 ERA, 27 hits, 20 walks, 57 strikeouts, 46 1/3 innings, 66 games

Skinny: We all know the Orioles’ biggest concern is getting the rotation to perform consistently well. Yet I’ve included no starting pitchers from a week free-agent class on this list. That’s mainly because, right now, the club already has six candidates for five rotation spots – and that doesn’t include minor-league swingmen Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright or newly acquired Logan Verrett. I could see the Orioles grabbing a starting candidate deep into the offseason as a value buy, but it likely won’t be a target this early in the winter.

So, if the Orioles do improve their pitching staff, I’d imagine they might attempt to strengthen a strength and bolster their bullpen (which is also crowded, by the way). If that’s the case, Logan makes great sense; the Orioles coveted him last summer, but the Colorado Rockies didn’t deal him away. He’s a quality, veteran lefty, compiling a 3.69 ERA while pitching at Coors Field (he actually was much better at home than on the road in 2016).

Although he would provide insurance if lefty specialist Donnie Hart stumbles in 2017, Logan also had success against right-handed hitters last year. And Showalter loves relievers he can keep in for a full inning.

Bottom line: There will be some competition for Logan’s services and the Orioles probably won’t make lefty relief a priority, but he’s a good name to watch.

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