The Baltimore Orioles have already made waves this offseason - and they’re not done yet. After locking in Pete Alonso with a $155 million deal and bringing in Ryan Helsley on a $28 million contract, the focus now shifts to the one area that still needs shoring up: the starting rotation.
That need became even more pressing after the Orioles traded Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels in exchange for outfielder Taylor Ward. Rodriguez was a key piece of their young pitching core, and moving him signals that Baltimore is ready to pivot - perhaps toward a win-now approach that leans on proven arms rather than developing ones.
The good news for Orioles fans? Reinforcements could be on the way.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the top-tier starting pitching market - which has been quiet so far - is about to heat up. That’s exactly what Baltimore needs to hear as they look to round out their roster with a frontline starter.
Names like Tatsuya Imai, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, Michael King, and Zac Gallen are all potential targets as the market begins to thaw. And while none of those pitchers have signed yet, the sense is that the dominoes could start falling soon - and Baltimore is positioned to pounce.
There’s also the trade route, with pitchers like MacKenzie Gore, Freddy Peralta, and Edward Cabrera potentially available. But for the Orioles, the free agent market is the cleaner play. No need to part with prospects or major league talent, and the front office gets more control over contract length and structure - a big plus for a team trying to build a sustainable contender.
General manager Mike Elias has shown he's willing to spend, and with the Orioles already making big moves this winter, they’ve earned the flexibility to go after one of the elite arms still on the board. Whether it’s a power lefty like Valdez or a versatile right-hander like King, Baltimore has options - and the momentum to land someone significant.
The sooner they do, the better. Finalizing a top-tier rotation piece would not only solidify the pitching staff but also give the Orioles a clear direction for the rest of the offseason. With the AL East as competitive as ever, every move counts - and this next one could be the most important of all.
Baltimore’s already made a statement with their spending. Now they have a chance to back it up with a true ace. The market’s moving - and the Orioles are right in the thick of it.