The Baltimore Orioles are one of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball, with a rich history of success, including multiple World Series titles. Yet, despite their long history of achievement, the Orioles have spent much of the last two decades rebuilding and searching for a formula to return to the pinnacle of baseball. While the team has shown significant progress in recent years, particularly with their emergence as a competitive force in the American League, there are still areas of their roster and strategy that need to be addressed for them to become legitimate World Series contenders once again.
In this article, we will explore key areas the Orioles must address in order to transform their promising team into a true World Series contender, including pitching depth, the outfield, infield defense, and bullpen stability. Additionally, we will look at the importance of organizational management and player development as critical factors in the team’s overall championship aspirations.
1. Pitching Depth and Starting Rotation
A crucial area the Orioles must improve is their pitching staff, particularly in terms of depth and consistency. The team has made strides in this area over the past few seasons, but they still face significant challenges in fielding a rotation capable of going toe-to-toe with the best in the league during a playoff series.
While the emergence of young pitchers like Grayson Rodriguez and Kyle Bradish has been promising, there is a glaring need for an ace-level starter who can dominate in high-leverage situations. The Orioles’ pitching staff has performed admirably during the regular season in recent years, but when it comes to the postseason, a team with a true No. 1 starter is often the difference between advancing and falling short.
To achieve this, the Orioles may need to look outside the organization and target an established ace on the trade or free-agent market. This could be in the form of a top-tier starting pitcher such as Shohei Ohtani, a veteran like Justin Verlander, or even exploring the trade market for a pitcher like Corbin Burnes from the Brewers. A trade for an elite-level pitcher would solidify the top of the rotation and give the team more flexibility when constructing its postseason rotation.
Additionally, depth beyond the top starters is important. Baltimore will need to continue developing their young arms and potentially seek out mid-level free agents or trades to provide depth in case of injuries or performance issues during the long grind of a season. Without a solid and reliable pitching staff, the Orioles will struggle to match up against high-caliber teams in the postseason, where elite pitching often takes the upper hand.
2. Bolstering the Outfield
While the Orioles’ offense has been one of their strong suits in recent years, particularly with young players like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson emerging as stars, there is still work to be done in the outfield. The team’s outfield has been inconsistent, with a mix of veterans and younger players struggling to find sustained success. While Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins, and Anthony Santander have all been contributors, each has limitations that could pose issues in a deep playoff run.
For example, while Cedric Mullins provides solid defense and speed, his bat has been erratic in recent seasons, and he has been prone to prolonged slumps. Similarly, Anthony Santander has shown flashes of power but is also streaky at the plate, and his defense can sometimes be a liability. Austin Hays, while a steady presence, has yet to fully reach his potential as an everyday All-Star caliber outfielder.
To put together a truly competitive roster, the Orioles may need to add an outfielder who can provide a more consistent bat and elite defense. The free-agent market offers some appealing options in this regard. Players like Kevin Kiermaier or Cody Bellinger could address both the offensive and defensive needs the Orioles have. Bellinger, in particular, could be an intriguing fit due to his ability to contribute across all aspects of the game—offense, defense, and base running. Such a player could take the pressure off the Orioles’ young core, allowing them to flourish while adding much-needed stability to the outfield.
Additionally, the Orioles should continue developing their younger outfield prospects in their minor league system. Players like Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad could eventually provide more depth in the outfield, giving the team a blend of both youth and experience.
3. Infield Defense and Versatility
Infield defense is an area where the Orioles have made notable progress but still need improvement to reach the next level. Gunnar Henderson has shown exceptional potential as a third baseman, while other young players like Jorge Mateo and Adam Frazier offer defensive prowess up the middle. However, as with many teams, the Orioles’ infield defense could be further strengthened by adding another dynamic player capable of anchoring the defense at shortstop or second base.
Jorge Mateo, despite being one of the better defensive shortstops in the league, has been inconsistent with the bat, limiting his overall value. Adding a player with both offensive and defensive upside, such as a top-tier shortstop, could greatly elevate the team’s infield defense. Additionally, the ability to move players like Henderson or Mateo around the infield to accommodate a more reliable piece at shortstop would provide the Orioles with more flexibility in both the field and lineup.
A potential target for the Orioles could be a free agent like Xander Bogaerts or a trade for an elite shortstop, which would instantly elevate the defense and provide a stabilizing force in the middle of the diamond. This could allow Henderson to continue developing as a third baseman while giving the team the ability to move Mateo to a more secondary role.
Depth and positional versatility will be key to maintaining a strong defense throughout the season, particularly in the case of injuries or off-days. With the potential additions of more versatile infielders, the Orioles could solidify themselves as one of the top defensive teams in the league, a crucial factor in a postseason series where every play and every out is magnified.
4. Bullpen Stability
The bullpen is another critical area that needs attention. Over the past few seasons, the Orioles’ bullpen has shown flashes of brilliance but has often been inconsistent, particularly in high-leverage situations. While the team has some talented relievers, including Félix Bautista, who emerged as one of the best closers in baseball, the overall depth and reliability of the bullpen remain areas of concern.
In the postseason, having a deep and trustworthy bullpen can be the difference between advancing to the next round or falling short. A well-rounded bullpen with multiple options in the late innings allows a team to match up against any opponent in any situation. The Orioles should focus on adding reliable, experienced relievers who can be counted on in high-stress scenarios.
Potential additions could include experienced veterans such as Josh Hader, who has the capability to close games and provide depth in late innings, or even trading for a reliever who can bolster the middle innings. The key is adding more options to ensure that the bullpen does not wear down over the course of a long season and that the Orioles are equipped for a postseason run.
5. Player Development and Organizational Depth
Finally, a consistent theme for the Orioles over the past few seasons has been the improvement of their player development system. The organization has invested heavily in scouting and player development, and this is evident in the emergence of young stars like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Grayson Rodriguez. However, for the Orioles to become true World Series contenders, they must continue to build on this foundation by deepening their farm system and ensuring that their pipeline of young talent remains robust.
This includes not only developing future stars but also creating depth in areas where the major league roster may be lacking. The continued development of pitchers, position players, and prospects will be essential to keeping the team competitive for years to come. The Orioles must continue to focus on scouting international talent, developing younger pitchers, and ensuring that the farm system produces players who can either contribute to the major league team or be used in trades to acquire veteran help when necessary.
