46 Days to Orioles Opening Day: Rotation Questions Still Linger
We’re inside the 50-day mark until Orioles Opening Day, and while that has a nice ring to it, the real action starts even sooner-with WBC pitchers and catchers reporting tomorrow. Baseball is officially back on the horizon.
And yet, the Orioles’ rotation still feels like a puzzle missing a corner piece.
Is the Rotation Set? Not So Fast.
All offseason, the central question around Baltimore has been whether the front office is done adding to the starting rotation. That question hasn’t gone away-and with good reason. Even with the recent additions of Shane Baz and a reunion with Zach Eflin, it’s fair to wonder if that’s enough to anchor a staff with postseason aspirations.
The top of the market is no longer an option. Framber Valdez has signed, and with that, the biggest domino has fallen.
But that hasn’t exactly opened the floodgates for the next tier of arms. Chris Bassitt, Zac Gallen, Lucas Giolito, Justin Verlander-there are still names out there, but no movement yet.
Whether that’s due to price, fit, or something else entirely, it leaves the Orioles in a familiar place: waiting and watching.
The Eflin Reunion: Smart Bet or Swing and Miss?
Bringing back Zach Eflin is a move that raises eyebrows. On one hand, he’s a known quantity, and familiarity can be a strength.
On the other, there’s a legitimate case to be made that the Orioles could’ve aimed higher. There were arguably more impactful arms available, and the decision to pass on them in favor of Eflin will be scrutinized if the rotation stumbles early.
Mike Elias has made some sharp moves during his tenure, no doubt. But he’s also had a few that didn’t quite pan out-moves that seemed questionable from the jump and ultimately proved to be just that. Whether this latest call falls into the “savvy” or “head-scratcher” category remains to be seen.
Shane Baz: X-Factor or Wild Card?
Shane Baz is shaping up to be a crucial piece of this rotation puzzle. But let’s be honest-relying heavily on a guy who posted a 4.87 ERA last season isn’t exactly reassuring.
There’s hope that a change of scenery and a more stable environment will help him find his stride, especially considering how much his home splits were impacted by a quirky minor league ballpark. Still, that’s a lot of pressure to put on a pitcher who hasn’t yet proven he can be consistent at the big-league level.
Akin’s Arbitration Loss
In other roster news, Keegan Akin lost his arbitration case and will make $2.975 million this season instead of the $3.375 million he was seeking. For fans who were already lukewarm on Akin’s role in the bullpen, the dollar figure may not be the most pressing concern-it’s whether he can contribute meaningfully in 2026.
Looking Back: A Franchise-Altering Trade
On this date in 2008, the Orioles traded Erik Bedard to the Mariners in a deal that would reshape the franchise. The return?
Five players, including Adam Jones-who became a cornerstone of the Orioles for nearly a decade. Chris Tillman gave the O’s some strong seasons, and George Sherrill made an impact before being flipped in another deal.
Bedard, meanwhile, gave Seattle just 3.1 bWAR during his time there. That’s the kind of trade that reminds you how much front office decisions can shape the future, for better or worse.
Orioles Headlines You Might Have Missed
- Position Preview: Is there still one more move coming for the starting rotation? Even with Valdez off the board, the question lingers.
Until the answer is yes, it’s still no.
- Five Camp Questions: As the team heads to camp, the rotation remains the top storyline. But there’s intrigue beyond the mound, too-like what the future holds for Ryan Mountcastle and Coby Mayo.
- Baz’s Role Grows: The pressure is on Shane Baz to become more than just a back-end option.
The Orioles are betting on upside-now he has to deliver.
Orioles Trivia Time
Here’s a little trivia nugget for the diehards: No multiple choice, no lifelines-just your baseball brain. Ready?
Who was the first Oriole to hit for the cycle?
(We’ll reveal the answer next time.)
Birthday Shoutouts
If today’s your birthday, you’re in good company. Former Orioles Félix Pie, Bob Oliver, and Hoot Evers were all born on this day. And beyond baseball, you share a birthday with actor James Dean, comedian Cecily Strong, and surfer Bethany Hamilton.
On This Day in History
- In 2008, the Bedard-Jones trade changed the trajectory of the Orioles.
- In 1837, the Senate elected Richard Johnson as vice president-the only time that constitutional provision has ever been used.
- In 1960, Hollywood’s Walk of Fame was born, with Stanley Kramer receiving the first star.
Final Thoughts
The countdown to Opening Day is on, and while the Orioles have made moves, there’s still a sense that something’s missing. Whether that changes in the coming weeks-or whether the current group proves enough-will define the early months of the 2026 season.
For now, the questions remain. But baseball is almost back, and with it, the answers are coming.