Baltimore Orioles Offseason: Turning a Weakness into a Strength
The Baltimore Orioles have been an intriguing team in recent years. After enduring several seasons of rebuilding, they started to show signs of promise in 2022 and 2023, culminating in a surprise postseason appearance in 2023. Yet, while they have a lot of young talent, their offseason moves in 2024 could be the turning point for them to transform from a competitive upstart to a legitimate contender in the American League.
One of the most notable aspects of the Orioles’ offseason has been their focus on addressing a key weakness—starting pitching. For years, the Orioles have struggled to find consistent, reliable arms in their rotation, and it has often been the Achilles’ heel in an otherwise promising roster. But this offseason, Baltimore’s front office appears to have turned that glaring weakness into a strength, with moves designed to bolster their rotation and solidify their pitching depth. Let’s dive into how the Orioles have tackled this issue and how it could shape their future success.
A Look Back: The Orioles’ Struggles with Starting Pitching
Over the past decade, the Orioles have been plagued by inconsistency in their starting rotation. Even during some of their more successful seasons, they had to rely heavily on their offense to carry them, as their starting pitchers often failed to go deep into games or perform at a high level. The problem was compounded by an inability to develop or acquire front-line starters capable of leading the team to postseason contention.
In the 2023 season, while the Orioles finished with a strong 101-win record, their starting rotation still ranked near the bottom of the league in several key metrics, including ERA (4.64), WHIP (1.39), and opponent batting average (.258). They were able to rely on a powerful offense and a strong bullpen to cover up some of those issues, but the lack of elite starting pitching remained a major concern. With the playoffs in sight, their rotation became a clear vulnerability, especially when compared to other American League contenders with deep, experienced rotations.
Offseason Moves: Bringing in Reinforcements
In an effort to remedy the starting pitching dilemma, the Orioles front office set its sights on acquiring both established veterans and rising prospects that could immediately contribute. Let’s break down some of the key moves that have positioned the Orioles to potentially turn their starting rotation into one of their greatest strengths.
- Kyle Gibson – A Veteran Presence
One of the first major moves the Orioles made was signing veteran right-hander Kyle Gibson to a one-year contract. Gibson, 36, has been a steady presence in the majors for over a decade. While he may not be an ace in the traditional sense, his experience and ability to eat innings were exactly what the Orioles needed. In 2023, Gibson posted a solid 4.73 ERA with the Philadelphia Phillies, and while not dominant, his consistency was crucial to the success of a Phillies team that made the World Series.
For the Orioles, Gibson provides the type of dependable arm that could slot into the middle of their rotation, offering stability in a place that has been sorely lacking. His ability to keep games manageable and go deep into outings will allow the bullpen to remain fresh and effective—one of the keys to the Orioles’ overall success. Gibson’s leadership and experience will be valuable for the younger pitchers on the roster, helping guide them through the rigors of a full season.
- Jack Flaherty – A High-Upside Addition
Another key addition to the Orioles’ rotation was right-hander Jack Flaherty, who signed a one-year deal with the club. Flaherty, once regarded as one of the most promising young pitchers in the game, has faced injury setbacks in recent years. However, he still has the potential to be an impact arm when healthy. After a rough stretch with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2023, Flaherty was traded to the Orioles and showed flashes of his former dominance, posting a 4.46 ERA in 14 starts for Baltimore.
Flaherty’s stuff is undeniable—his fastball velocity is still in the upper 90s, and he features a devastating slider that can generate swings and misses. The Orioles are banking on Flaherty regaining his All-Star form with a more consistent season, and if he does, he could emerge as a critical piece in the middle or front of their rotation. Given the volatility of Flaherty’s recent seasons, the one-year deal provides a relatively low-risk opportunity with potentially high rewards. If he stays healthy, he could solidify the Orioles’ rotation and give them a much-needed high-upside arm.
- Young Talent: Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall
While adding veterans like Gibson and Flaherty provides immediate help, the long-term future of the Orioles’ rotation hinges on their ability to develop young talent. Grayson Rodriguez, the team’s top pitching prospect, made his highly anticipated MLB debut in 2023, but struggled to adjust to big-league hitting. Despite the bumps in the road, Rodriguez’s talent is undeniable. The 6-foot-5 right-hander has a fastball that can touch the high 90s and a devastating changeup that can generate swings and misses. If he can refine his command and avoid the pitfalls that have plagued some of his starts, Rodriguez could be a key piece in the rotation for years to come.
DL Hall, another young arm with electric stuff, has also been part of the Orioles’ rotation plans. Hall’s fastball is one of the best in the system, but he has struggled with control issues. Like Rodriguez, Hall will need to find consistency, but his upside as a left-handed power arm is incredibly high. If these two pitchers can mature into reliable starters, they would provide the Orioles with a potent 1-2 punch atop their rotation, with plenty of supporting depth behind them.
The Impact on the Team’s Overall Strength
With the additions of Gibson and Flaherty, coupled with the emergence of young stars like Rodriguez and Hall, the Orioles have a much-improved starting rotation heading into 2025. The key difference between this group and previous iterations of the Orioles’ rotation is not just the talent, but the depth. For the first time in years, the Orioles have legitimate competition for starting spots and a much deeper pool of options.
This newfound rotation strength should have ripple effects throughout the team. With starting pitchers going deeper into games, the bullpen will be able to take on a more defined and rested role, leading to greater overall team performance. The Orioles’ bullpen, which was one of the league’s best in 2023, will now have less pressure to cover for inefficient starts, and this could further elevate their ability to close out games.
Moreover, with improved pitching, the Orioles’ offense has the chance to stay fresher and more productive throughout the season. No longer will they be forced to overcome 5+ run deficits on a nightly basis. Instead, the combination of a revamped rotation and their high-powered offense could make the Orioles one of the most well-rounded teams in the league.
