What was supposed to be a promising first offseason under new owner David Rubenstein instead just feels like more of the same for Baltimore Orioles fans. While signing slugging outfielder Tyler O’Neill to a three-year, $49.5 million contract is worthy of acknowledgement, the organization has failed to extend its current star players or acquire new ones who could inch the team closer to title contention.

A possible Jack Flaherty reunion might show people that Rubenstein is serious about building on the Orioles’ consecutive playoff appearances. The World Series champion is among the best starting pitchers left in free agency, which makes him a coveted commodity for a ballclub that is constantly facing injury and depth concerns in its rotation.

But the fan base should temper its enthusiasm, or tone down its dread, depending on how one feels about Flaherty. A Baltimore insider is pouring cold water on a potential return to Camden Yards.

“I would actually kind of be surprised if Flaherty came back to the Orioles,” Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com told “Foul Territory.” “He didn’t have a good time there. He was there for the last two months of {the 2023 season} and he didn’t pitch well. If he’s asking for a five-year deal, I don’t know that they’re going to be interested. I think they’d rather go the trade route.”