Orioles banking on rotation depth being enough in AL East

The Baltimore Orioles have worked to upgrade their roster during the offseason.

Oft-injured former prospect Grayson Rodriguez was traded to the Angels for outfielder Taylor Ward as the Orioles looked to add more power to the lineup. Shane Baz was acquired in a separate deal with the Rays, adding a pitcher who has displayed top-of-the-rotation potential in the past. Zach Eflin was re-signed to a one-year, $10M contract and hopes to be ready for Opening Day. 

On paper, the Orioles have a solid rotation. Baz and Eflin will join Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers and Dean Kremer, with Tyler Wells, Albert Suarez and Cade Povich as depth options in case of injury or if Eflin needs more time to be ready.

Lack of true top-of-the-rotation starter could prove to be Baltimore Orioles' greatest flaw

While the Orioles' acquisitions improved the depth of the rotation, they did not address their lack of a true top-of-the-rotation starter. Corbin Burnes filled that role admirably in 2024 but left in free agency. Bradish has displayed the potential to be the Orioles ace, having posted a 2.83 ERA and a 1.043 WHiP over his 168.2 innings, striking out 168 batters with 44 walks. However, Bradish made just 14 appearances between 2024 and 2025 after undergoing Tommy John surgery and having an internal brace inserted into his right elbow. 

Potential top-of-the-rotation options are available. Framber Valdez has been the type of workhorse the Orioles need to front the rotation. Pitchers Tarik Skubal and MacKenzie Gore are reportedly on the trade block — the Orioles still boast a strong crop of young players despite sending a quartet of prospects to the Rays for Baz.

Unless Bradish can prove that he is still an emerging top-of-the-rotation arm, the Orioles' current crop of starting pitchers are a collection of second- and third- starter types. Although that type of rotation can work in the regular season, the lack of a frontline starter could prove to be a problem in what is expected to be a difficult division. The Orioles should be better, but it may not be enough.