Orioles looking to injury-riddled lefty to round out starting rotation

The Baltimore Orioles have been linked to numerous starting pitchers throughout the offseason, and now veteran James Paxton can be added to the list. 

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Orioles are showing interest in Paxton. As Heyman noted, Baltimore had been looking at "every starter from Marcus Stroman on down" in their search for more pitching. 

Paxton's injury issues were a factor last year. He missed the first month of the season due to a strained hamstring and right knee inflammation cost him most of September. Paxton ended the 2023 campaign with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.313 WHIP over his 96 innings, striking out 101 batters with 33 walks. 

However, Paxton's knee issues skewed those numbers over his final three outings. He had posted a 3.34 ERA and a 1.135 WHIP over his first 86.1 innings before his knee gave him trouble. 

The Orioles' rotation is pretty much set. Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez, John Means, and Dean Kremer are likely the top four starters barring injury. There is plenty of depth behind that quartet as well, putting them in a position where they do not necessarily need to add Paxton.  

There is also the matter of upside and cost. Paxton would be intriguing to a team such as the Orioles in this case — he may not cost as much as other mid-tier pitchers due to his checkered injury history. 

When healthy, however, Paxton is a solid middle-of-the-rotation type, making any pitching staff deeper. That is what the Orioles need. Baltimore has been looking for pitching throughout the offseason. Paxton is the next name on their list.