Orioles Target Signs with American League East Rival

The New York Yankees have signed a Baltimore Orioles free-agent pitching target.

The New York Yankees agreed to a two-year deal with pitcher Marcus Stroman worth $18.5 million per season. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported the deal.

While the Baltimore Orioles have other pitching targets that they are reportedly pursuing, Stroman's deal means one more arm is off the board. 

The Orioles reportedly had interest in the right-handed pitcher and now he ends up in the American League East.

Baltimore continues to show interest in other starting pitchers, including their reported top target, Dylan Cease. It's possible that the front office doesn't want to add another arm until it either swings a deal for Cease or the Chicago White Sox make him untouchable. 

The right-handed ace is 28 years old and has two years of club control remaining, making him an intriguing trade option for any team in need of starting pitching.

If the O's really are interested, it could cause issues for them as free agents continue to sign. At some point, they may no longer be able to wait for the White Sox to make a decision.

The Yankees' agreement with Stroman makes sense for the Bronx Bombers. Stroman has nearly a decade in the Majors and he fits in as a middle-of-the-rotation starter for a staff led by reigning Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole. 

Last season Stroman was named an All-Star and posted another season with an ERA below 4.00. In his career, he's only had an ERA above four twice.

This could've been a smart signing for the Orioles. Instead, he ends up with a Yankees team looking to get back to the top of the American League East, and one that knows they'll have to go through the Orioles to do it.