Despite an Active Offseason, the Baltimore Orioles Are Still Without a True Ace

The Baltimore Orioles entered the 2024-2025 offseason with high hopes after an impressive 2023 season that saw them reach the postseason for the first time in years. Their success was fueled by a young and exciting roster, highlighted by breakout performances from several key players. However, despite their strong showing, there was one glaring weakness that continued to hold them back: the lack of a true ace in their pitching rotation. While the front office made several moves to improve the roster, including some high-profile acquisitions, the Orioles are still searching for a bona fide ace who can lead their pitching staff in the most crucial moments.

The Offseason Moves

The Orioles were not shy in addressing their roster needs this offseason. After a thrilling playoff appearance in 2023, the front office knew that to take the next step and contend for a World Series, they would need to upgrade both their lineup and pitching staff. While their offense, led by stars like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Cedric Mullins, was one of the league’s best in 2023, their pitching staff was still a work in progress.

Among the key additions were a few veteran arms designed to provide depth and stability to a rotation that lacked the one true ace it so desperately needed. The front office signed some established pitchers, but these acquisitions, while solid, have yet to provide the kind of dominant performances required of an ace.

One of the most notable signings was the addition of veteran right-hander Jameson Taillon. The 31-year-old was brought in to add reliability to a rotation that featured a mix of promising but unproven pitchers. Taillon, a former Pittsburgh Pirate and New York Yankee, has had a solid career but has never been a true staff ace. He is known for his ability to eat innings and provide a steady presence, but he is not the type of pitcher who will consistently dominate opposing lineups with high strikeout rates or overpowering stuff. His addition was a good one in terms of improving rotation depth, but it did not address the Orioles’ need for a true frontline starter.

In addition to Taillon, the Orioles made a splash by bringing in left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd on a short-term deal. Boyd, who had a solid run with the Detroit Tigers before struggling in recent years, was seen as a potential bounce-back candidate. However, like Taillon, Boyd is unlikely to be the ace the Orioles need. Boyd’s career has been marked by inconsistency, and while he has shown flashes of brilliance, he has yet to establish himself as a true ace in the league.

While these moves bolstered the rotation, the Orioles still found themselves without a pitcher capable of consistently shutting down the best teams in the league. With an eye on both the short-term and long-term future, the Orioles’ front office must continue to seek that elusive ace who can carry them deep into October.

The State of the Rotation

The Orioles’ starting rotation in 2023 was a mixed bag of promising talent and underperforming veterans. Despite a solid collective performance from the group, the rotation lacked a dominant presence. Kyle Gibson, who was acquired before the 2023 season, provided innings but was not the kind of ace-caliber pitcher the Orioles could rely on in big games. Tyler Wells showed promise but still had a long way to go in terms of consistency. Dean Kremer, another promising young arm, had flashes of brilliance but struggled with control at times.

The key to the Orioles’ pitching staff in 2023 was not a single ace but rather the collective effort of several pitchers who kept them in games and allowed the offense to do its job. The team’s bullpen, which was one of the best in the league, also played a significant role in covering the rotation’s shortcomings. However, as the Orioles learned during their playoff series, having a true ace is crucial when it comes to advancing deep into October.

There are several names within the organization who could eventually develop into that ace. Grayson Rodriguez, the Orioles’ top pitching prospect, has shown flashes of his immense potential but has yet to consistently dominate at the major league level. Rodriguez has all the physical tools to become a frontline starter, including a high-velocity fastball, a devastating curveball, and excellent command. However, he has struggled with consistency and command at times, particularly in high-leverage situations. As Rodriguez matures and gains more experience, there is hope that he will eventually evolve into the ace the Orioles need.

Another intriguing option is DL Hall, a left-handed pitcher with electric stuff. Hall, who has been plagued by injuries and control issues in the past, is a high-risk, high-reward prospect. His fastball can reach the upper 90s, and his slider is a potential weapon, but his struggles with consistency and health have prevented him from reaching his full potential. If Hall can stay healthy and harness his stuff, he could develop into a key piece of the Orioles’ rotation, but there are still many questions surrounding his ability to stay on the mound and perform at a high level.

The Orioles’ rotation is filled with potential, but none of their current pitchers has yet to prove they can consistently be the ace that the team needs to compete for a championship. This leaves the Orioles in a precarious situation as they attempt to build a contending team.

Why the Orioles Need a True Ace

The Orioles’ lack of a true ace has been a topic of conversation for several seasons now, and it has become more apparent with each postseason appearance. In October, when the games matter most, teams with dominant aces tend to have a significant advantage. A true ace is a pitcher who can give their team a chance to win every time they take the mound, regardless of the opponent. A pitcher who can shut down opposing offenses, pitch deep into games, and provide stability in high-pressure situations is a vital component of a championship-caliber team.

Look at recent World Series champions, and you’ll see that most of them had at least one ace who could be relied upon in the most critical games. Whether it was Max Scherzer with the Washington Nationals in 2019 or Clayton Kershaw with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020, a dominant pitcher at the top of the rotation makes a massive difference in October.

For the Orioles, having a true ace would allow them to be more aggressive in the postseason, knowing they have a pitcher who can take the ball in Game 1 of a playoff series and give them a chance to steal a game on the road. It would also take some of the pressure off their bullpen, allowing them to use their relief corps in more targeted, high-leverage situations rather than relying on them to pick up the slack in the early innings.

In a division as competitive as the American League East, which features juggernaut teams like the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and Tampa Bay Rays, the Orioles cannot afford to go into a postseason series without a true ace. Their young lineup, which is filled with talent and potential, will be undermined if they cannot pair it with an equally dominant pitching staff.

The Road Ahead

Despite an offseason filled with acquisitions and moves to improve the roster, the Orioles are still in search of that true ace who can lead them to a World Series. While the potential is there with young arms like Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall, the team may need to look outside the organization to find an established frontline starter. The trade market and free-agent pool will likely be the avenues they explore in the coming seasons, and the Orioles must continue to develop their internal options while simultaneously looking for a veteran arm to add to the mix.

The Orioles are certainly on the right path. Their offense is potent, their bullpen is one of the league’s best, and their young pitching staff holds plenty of promise. However, to take the next step and become a true World Series contender, they must find a pitcher who can be the ace that leads them into October and beyond. Until then, the Orioles will continue to be a team that relies on a strong collective effort but lacks the one player who can single-handedly tilt the balance in their favor during a postseason run.

As the offseason progresses and the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on the Orioles to see if they can finally land the ace they need to push them over the top. Until that happens, the search for a true ace will remain one of the biggest questions facing the team.