Tuesday, November 03

BALTIMORE -- Once again, the Orioles have starting pitching near the top of their offseason wish list this year.

“We have, I think, a really promising internal group of arms, both at the Major League level and the Minor League level,” president of baseball operations Mike Elias said last week. “But as we’re talking about it upstairs [in the Camden Yards warehouse offices], looking for upgrades in the rotation is absolutely on the menu.”

Since the end of the season, Chris Bassitt, Zach Eflin and Trevor Rogers have all become free agents. Eflin’s $25 million mutual option was declined. Rogers was extended a qualifying offer on Monday, though it’s unlikely he’ll accept.

So, let’s break down the state of Baltimore’s rotation mix, as things currently stand.

Right-handers Kyle Bradish (five years, $90 million) and Shane Baz (five years, $68 million) became the two highest-paid pitchers in franchise history when signing extensions earlier this year. They’ll be key cogs on the O’s 2027 staff.

Then, right-hander Brandon Young is a front-runner for a rotation spot after his breakout season. The 28-year-old had a 3.56 ERA in 156 2/3 innings over 28 starts.

That’s it for the certainties. Among the other starting candidates with MLB experience on the 40-man roster are left-handers Cade Povich and Luis De León (O’s No. 8 prospect) and righty Trey Gibson (O’s No. 17 prospect). No other prospect will likely be ready for the big leagues by the start of the 2027 season.

But, as Elias said, starting-pitching additions are “on the menu” for the Orioles this offseason.

What could that menu look like? Here are a few options:

1. A Rogers reunion
Although Rogers will likely turn down the QO (a one-year deal worth $23.15 million), the 28-year-old left-hander could still be back in Baltimore next season. And it would be a perfect fit.

The O’s need a frontline lefty. Rogers has pitched well for the club (a 3.16 ERA in 48 starts over the past two seasons). The southpaw has expressed interest in coming back.

“To be honest, I would love to be back here,” Rogers said after his final start of the season on Sept. 25 at Yankee Stadium.

So, maybe the Orioles begin their pursuit of arms by bringing back this reliable, familiar one.

2. A marquee free-agent signing (or two?)
Baltimore has been willing to spend significant money since private equity billionaire David Rubenstein’s ownership group purchased the team in March 2024, as evidenced by the extensions for Bradish and Baz, the five-year, $155 million deal for Pete Alonso and others.

The O’s have the resources to shop on the deeper end of the MLB free-agent pool if they’d like.

Tarik Skubal would likely be difficult to land, as there will be many suitors willing to spend considerable amounts to acquire him. But the market features other intriguing hurlers, such as right-handers Freddy Peralta and Michael King, lefty David Peterson and others.

There are also older free-agent starters who could be willing to sign shorter-term deals, such as right-handers Kevin Gausman (an Oriole from 2013-18), Sonny Gray, Nick Martinez and more. 

The Orioles have options to consider, with ample pitchers to hold discussions with.

3. A blockbuster trade
Remember when Baltimore acquired right-hander Corbin Burnes from Milwaukee ahead of the 2024 season? It’s hard to forget, considering how impressive he was during his one-year stint as the Orioles’ ace, recording a 2.92 ERA in 194 1/3 innings over 32 starts.

The free-agent starting-pitching market isn’t exactly the deepest. So, it wouldn’t be surprising if the O’s explored potential trades to add at least one top-of-the-rotation arm.

It isn’t exactly clear who could be available, but there are some viable trade candidates. That group includes Angels left-hander Reid Detmers, multiple Mariners pitchers (including right-handers George Kirby and Emerson Hancock) and Rangers righty Jacob deGrom.

The Orioles beefed up their farm system in 2026, using both the MLB Draft and Trade Deadline moves to acquire a lot of highly regarded prospects. They could use some of those youngsters now as trade chips in order to bolster their starting rotation for '27.

In case you missed it, a lot of moves were made by the Orioles on Monday, in addition to Rogers receiving a qualifying offer. Here’s a recap:

• First baseman Ryan Mountcastle’s $7.5 million team option for the 2027 season was declined. The 29-year-old, who has been with the O’s for his entire pro career, is now a free agent for the first time.

• Outfielder Heston Kjerstad cleared waivers and was outrighted, becoming a Minor League free agent in the process. The 27-year-old was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 Draft and is a former top prospect.

• Outfielder Leody Taveras cleared waivers and elected free agency in lieu of accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk. The 28-year-old’s time in Baltimore appears to be over after one season.

• Left-hander Dietrich Enns’ $3.5 million team option for the 2027 season was declined. The 35-year-old spent much of this past season in Triple-A after recording a 3.94 ERA in 13 relief outings for the O’s.

• In addition to Kjerstad, catcher Yohel Pozo and right-hander Yosver Zulueta cleared waivers, were outright and became Minor League free agents.

• The O’s were busy on the waiver wire, claiming four players -- right-hander Josh White (Marlins), left-hander Philip Abner (Mets), catcher Zach Morgan (Giants) and righty Chase Hampton (Cardinals).

Right-hander Braxton Bragg (Baltimore’s No. 22 prospect) was named the Arizona Fall League Pitcher of the Week on Monday.

Bragg tossed four scoreless innings for the Peoria Javelinas last Wednesday in their matchup vs. the Glendale Desert Dogs. The 26-year-old had three strikeouts during the 56-pitch, 41-strike outing, lowering his Fall League ERA to 2.77 through four outings (two starts).

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