The Baltimore Orioles have emerged as a surprising contender in the American League over the past few years. With a talented young core led by Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and others, the team’s future looks bright. However, the starting rotation remains a lingering concern for the Orioles as they look to take the next step into consistent playoff contention. While their offense and bullpen have performed well, the starting rotation has been inconsistent, with some pitchers showing promise but others struggling to maintain reliability over a full season.
To solidify their standing as a legitimate World Series contender, the Orioles must address their rotation issues. Fortunately, the free-agent market provides a number of options who could make an immediate impact. Two such free agents—both veterans with proven track records—could be key to alleviating the Orioles’ rotation concerns: Jameson Taillon and Michael Wacha.
1. Jameson Taillon: A Reliable Presence at the Top of the Rotation
Jameson Taillon, who spent the 2023 season with the Chicago Cubs, is a prime candidate to bolster the Orioles’ rotation. With a career ERA of 3.85 and a steady performance record, Taillon would provide the Orioles with a reliable and experienced arm in the middle of their rotation. While he may not be a flashy ace, Taillon has the potential to eat up innings and provide consistency, which has been a major issue for the Orioles in recent years.
Consistency and Durability
One of Taillon’s most attractive qualities is his durability. Over the past few seasons, he has been remarkably healthy, with 32 starts in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons, and 31 starts in 2023. In an era where many teams struggle to find reliable starting pitching due to injuries and inconsistency, Taillon’s ability to take the ball every fifth day would be a major asset to the Orioles.
This durability also means that he can provide stability in a rotation that, at times, has lacked it. The Orioles need pitchers who can contribute 150+ innings a year, and Taillon is more than capable of meeting that threshold. His ability to stay on the mound would help alleviate the burden on the bullpen, which is crucial for a team that may find itself in close games with its young core playing a significant role offensively.
Pitch Mix and Approach
Another strength of Taillon is his pitch mix. He’s known for his ability to command a four-pitch arsenal, featuring a fastball that sits around 93-94 mph, a curveball, a slider, and a changeup. This versatility allows him to navigate different lineups and adjust as needed. He’s also shown the ability to limit hard contact, posting a solid 20.5% strikeout rate in 2023.
His approach is particularly valuable for the Orioles, as they need pitchers who can keep hitters off balance and avoid allowing big innings. Taillon’s pitching philosophy centers on control and minimizing walks, with a walk rate that has remained steady throughout his career. This is essential for a team like the Orioles, who may need pitchers who can limit damage and prevent the big inning that has often derailed their rotation.
Leadership and Mentorship
At 32 years old, Taillon brings not only experience but leadership to a relatively young Orioles pitching staff. His presence in the clubhouse would be invaluable for the younger pitchers who are still developing their skills. Taillon has been through the ups and downs of a major league career, including overcoming Tommy John surgery early in his career. His experience in dealing with adversity could help guide the younger players and set an example of professionalism and work ethic.
For a team that already boasts a promising group of young pitchers like Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall, adding Taillon would provide a steadying influence at the top of the rotation. His leadership could be crucial in helping the Orioles make a deeper playoff run and potentially vie for a division title.
Taillon’s Fit with the Orioles
Taillon’s profile fits well with the Orioles’ needs. His solid track record, durability, and ability to limit damage would provide a much-needed boost to the team’s rotation. Furthermore, his leadership and mentorship would complement the emerging talent in the clubhouse. Signing Taillon would give the Orioles a reliable, high-floor option in the rotation, something they’ve lacked in recent years.
2. Michael Wacha: A Stabilizing Veteran with Swing-and-Miss Stuff
Another free agent that could help the Orioles’ rotation concerns is Michael Wacha, who spent the 2023 season with the San Diego Padres. Wacha, a former All-Star, has had a career that has featured both highs and lows. However, his resurgence in 2023—posting a 3.25 ERA with 135 strikeouts in 127 innings—shows that he still has the stuff to succeed at a high level. For the Orioles, Wacha would provide a valuable addition to the rotation, combining a strong track record with the ability to generate strikeouts and limit walks.
Resurgence in 2023
After a few seasons of inconsistency, Wacha experienced a career renaissance in 2023, making 26 starts and performing well in a hitter-friendly park in San Diego. His ERA of 3.25 was one of the best of his career, and he showed the ability to limit hard contact while missing bats at a healthy rate (9.5 K/9). Wacha’s fastball velocity was slightly down from his prime years, but he compensates with excellent command and a deceptive changeup that has always been his signature pitch. His ability to generate strikeouts with a mid-90s fastball and a devastating changeup would be a welcome addition to the Orioles’ rotation, which often struggled to miss bats in key situations.
Experience and Leadership
At 32 years old, Wacha brings considerable experience to the table. He has pitched in playoff games with the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox, including a key role in the Red Sox’s 2018 World Series run. His experience in big games and high-pressure situations would provide the Orioles with a veteran presence who has succeeded on the big stage. With the Orioles’ young core looking to make a playoff push in the coming years, Wacha’s experience in tight games could be crucial.
Furthermore, Wacha’s leadership qualities would be beneficial for a young pitching staff. His ability to provide advice and mentorship would be especially helpful for pitchers like Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall, who are still learning the ropes at the major league level.
Wacha’s Fit with the Orioles
The Orioles would benefit from Wacha’s swing-and-miss stuff and his ability to be a stabilizing presence in the rotation. His consistency in 2023, combined with his track record of success in playoff atmospheres, would help anchor a rotation that could use a steady, experienced hand. Wacha could slot in behind Taillon and provide the Orioles with a solid 2-3 punch in their rotation, giving them a much-needed upgrade as they aim to compete in the American League.
