The Baltimore Orioles are on a mission to strengthen their starting pitching, and they're not stopping anytime soon! Despite recent roster moves, the team is still actively seeking another starter to bolster their rotation.
You see, the Orioles have had their fair share of struggles in the past season. Their starting pitchers collectively posted an earned run average of 4.65 in 2025, which, let's be honest, isn't ideal. And with key players like Tomoyuki Sugano and Zach Eflin becoming free agents, the team's pitching depth took a hit.
But here's where it gets interesting! The Orioles have been linked to a whole bunch of free agents and potential trade targets this winter. They've already made some notable moves, acquiring Shane Baz in a trade with the Rays and bringing back Eflin on a one-year deal.
If the season started today, the Orioles' rotation would likely consist of Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz, and Zach Eflin. Dean Kremer would be the front-runner for the final spot, but there are other talented options like Tyler Wells, Chayce McDermott, Cade Povich, and Brandon Young.
While this group has potential, a team source described it as merely "adequate" to The Athletic. And let's face it, after a rough season, the Orioles are rightfully aiming higher.
But here's the catch: the rotation is a bit of a health concern. Bradish just returned from Tommy John surgery and has made a limited number of starts in the past two years. Wells has a similar story, with elbow surgery keeping him out of action. Rogers, despite his brilliance last season, was limited to just 18 starts due to a knee injury. And Baz, while impressive in 2025, has yet to consistently perform over a full season.
Adding another pitcher to the mix could create a bit of a logjam if everyone stays healthy, but that's a big "if" given the group's injury history.
And this is the part most people miss: the Orioles are likely looking for an upgrade with their next rotation addition. With a deep bench of options, they want someone with high upside.
According to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Orioles are considering free agents like Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez, and Zac Gallen, as well as trade targets Edward Cabrera, Freddy Peralta, and MacKenzie Gore. These names represent the cream of the crop among available pitchers, and it's no surprise the Orioles are eyeing them.
Financially, the Orioles have some wiggle room. RosterResource projects their payroll to be around $147 million next year, compared to $165 million in 2025. Signing one of the top free agents could push their spending, but not by a significant margin. Alternatively, they could save some cash by trading Ryan Mountcastle, now that Pete Alonso's signing has crowded him out.
The trade targets, like Peralta, Gore, and Cabrera, would be more cost-effective, but the Orioles would need to part with valuable assets in return. And with the recent prospect-heavy trade for Baz, the team might be hesitant to further deplete their farm system.
So, what's next for the Orioles? Will they make a big splash in free agency or opt for a trade? And what impact will their decisions have on the team's future? These are the questions that keep baseball fans up at night.
What do you think, baseball enthusiasts? Should the Orioles go all-in on a top free agent or explore the trade market? Let's discuss in the comments and share our thoughts on the Orioles' pitching strategy!
