Did the Orioles Miss Their Chance at a Championship-Caliber Rotation?
This week’s MLB Mailbag dives into some burning questions, from the Orioles' and Braves' pitching strategies to Nick Castellanos' potential impact on the Tigers and the Brewers' third base dilemma post-Caleb Durbin trade. We’ll also spice things up with some bold, half-baked hot takes—feel free to share yours in the comments! But here's where it gets controversial: Did the Orioles drop the ball by not signing a top-tier starter like Ranger Suarez? Let’s break it down.
Michael asks: Why couldn’t the Orioles have signed Ranger Suarez? Seems like they whiffed on this deal.
While Suarez would’ve been a stellar addition, the real question is whether Orioles president of baseball operations and GM Mike Elias has done enough to fortify their rotation. Sure, Shane Baz brings potential with a projected 2 WAR, but the Orioles passed on several high-impact starters this offseason, including Dylan Cease, Sonny Gray, Framber Valdez, Michael King, MacKenzie Gore, and Freddy Peralta. And this is the part most people miss: Elias’s recent comments suggest he’s content with the current rotation, despite FanGraphs ranking it just 17th in MLB.
Elias stated, ‘I think we’ve put together a really strong rotation as it stands right now. We’ll continue to look externally, but I think this rotation looks good.’ Bold words, but are they backed by action? Signing Zac Gallen, rumored to be on the Orioles’ radar, could still elevate the team by a win or two. Yet, Elias hinted that late signings might not be a priority, leaving fans wondering if the window for a big move has closed.
FanGraphs projects Kyle Bradish to contribute 3.1 WAR in 148 innings, but I’m betting he exceeds that. However, Zach Eflin’s 146-inning projection feels optimistic after his lumbar microdiscectomy last August. Speaking of projections, FanGraphs predicts five Orioles pitchers will hit 146 innings—a tall order, but is it realistic?
Controversial Take: Elias’s confidence in the rotation might be misplaced. While the Orioles have solid arms, they lack a true ace to anchor the staff. Suarez or any of the other available starters could’ve been that difference-maker. Did the Orioles play it too safe, or is Elias onto something we’re not seeing? Let’s debate this in the comments—do you think the Orioles missed their shot at a championship-caliber rotation, or is their current strategy enough to compete?
Unlock Subscriber-Exclusive Insights
Want more in-depth analysis like this? Subscribe to Trade Rumors Front Office for:
- Weekly exclusive articles by Tim Dierkes, Steve Adams, and Anthony Franco.
- Live chats with Anthony.
- Ad-free browsing and support for our writers.
- Access to GM-level tools like the MLB Contract Tracker.
Join the conversation and share your hot takes below—29 comments are already waiting for you!
