Baltimore Orioles ‘Won’t Completely Dismiss’ This Plan for Their Rotation

The Baltimore Orioles, a team in the midst of rebuilding but with an eye on future contention, face significant questions about their pitching staff heading into 2025. Despite an impressive 2023 campaign, where the O’s outperformed expectations, the team’s rotation remains one of the key areas that still requires a deep dive. With many of their key players performing above their projected levels, the front office has had to navigate a delicate balance between continued player development and making the right moves to further elevate the roster.

One of the key storylines as the team enters 2025 is the Orioles’ approach to constructing their rotation. Though they made noticeable strides in their pitching development, there’s still plenty of room for improvement. Their pitching depth is solid, but they’ll need to be creative to build a rotation that can not only survive but thrive in the competitive landscape of the American League.

The Status of the Orioles’ Pitching Staff

The Orioles’ pitching staff showed considerable promise in 2023. Their young rotation, led by emerging ace Kyle Gibson, played a significant role in the team’s surprising 101-win season. However, while the team succeeded in exceeding expectations, there were still holes, particularly in the back end of the rotation. Inconsistent performances from certain starters and injuries to key players highlighted the need for upgrades. Though the team’s bullpen has been a strength, it’s clear that solidifying the rotation will be a top priority for the front office.

Baltimore’s general manager Mike Elias and manager Brandon Hyde are both well aware of the rotation’s weaknesses. They know that a top-tier staff is crucial for maintaining the team’s competitiveness, especially as the division becomes more competitive. Despite their success, the Orioles’ pitching staff still ranked among the lower half of teams in terms of strikeouts, ERA, and other advanced metrics, which means they must look for ways to improve their overall pitching depth.

Why the Rotation Needs an Overhaul

The Orioles’ rotation has made significant strides in the last few seasons, but it remains the most vulnerable aspect of the team. A look at the key starters for 2023 reveals a mixture of solid veterans, emerging talent, and unknowns.

1. Kyle Gibson – The veteran pitcher was a stabilizing force for the rotation, bringing both reliability and experience. But despite his leadership, he was often inconsistent, with a tendency to struggle in high-leverage situations. Gibson’s ability to eat innings is valuable, but the team will likely need more from him as they aim for deeper playoff runs.
2. Grayson Rodriguez – The highly touted prospect showed flashes of his potential but had a rough start to his major league career. Rodriguez has the stuff to be an ace, but consistency and maturity remain key concerns. The Orioles’ hope is that Rodriguez will take the next step in 2025, but they can’t afford to rely solely on him.
3. Dean Kremer – Kremer is another promising young arm but struggled with injuries and inconsistency. There were stretches where he looked like a solid option, but other times he seemed to regress. Kremer, like Rodriguez, needs to refine his command and ability to handle major league hitters.
4. Tyler Wells – Wells was a revelation early in 2023, showcasing impressive velocity and stuff. However, he eventually wore down, as his stamina and durability as a starting pitcher came into question. The Orioles may decide to use him in different roles, including potentially as a reliever or even an opener.

Addressing the Back End of the Rotation

While the Orioles have a solid front-line rotation with the potential for growth in players like Rodriguez and Kremer, the back end of the rotation remains a major area of concern. The team currently lacks a reliable No. 4 or No. 5 starter who can consistently give them quality innings, which will be necessary for a playoff push. While the O’s will likely bring in some depth pieces via trade or free agency, the team may explore unconventional ways of filling out the back end of their rotation.

This brings us to the latest development in Baltimore’s pitching strategy — the notion that the Orioles are “won’t completely dismiss” a plan that could involve nontraditional approaches to filling out the rotation. The idea is centered on a more creative, fluid use of pitchers in tandem with a heavy reliance on their bullpen.

Embracing a Flexible Rotation Model

The proposal being considered involves a shift away from the traditional five-man rotation model. Instead of simply slotting in five starting pitchers, the Orioles are contemplating a more flexible system that would blend starting roles with bullpen usage, offering more opportunities for pitchers to work in tandem with one another.

This strategy would focus on pitching matchups and rotational flexibility, allowing for a more balanced and dynamic pitching staff. The idea draws inspiration from teams like the Tampa Bay Rays, who have become famous for their creative use of pitchers in various roles, particularly using bullpen games and piggybacking starting pitchers to maximize their resources.

The concept of piggybacking involves having two pitchers who are able to complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses. In this system, a pitcher who can get through the first three to four innings effectively would be paired with a second pitcher who can then finish out the remaining innings. This method could allow the team to manage their pitching staff’s workload, keep pitchers fresh throughout the season, and prevent overexertion, which could be particularly beneficial for young, unproven arms like Rodriguez and Kremer.

Potential Benefits of the Flexible Model

There are several potential advantages to this approach. First and foremost, it allows the Orioles to be flexible with their rotation and avoid the pressures of sticking to a rigid five-man structure. For example, if a starting pitcher is struggling early in a game, the team could quickly pivot to a reliever without necessarily disrupting the whole rotation. Additionally, the constant blending of roles could keep pitchers fresh, potentially limiting the risk of injuries while maintaining a high level of performance.

Another benefit of this plan is its ability to enhance matchups against opposing teams. The flexibility allows the Orioles to adjust their rotation based on the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. If there’s a team with a dominant right-handed lineup, the Orioles could employ a strategy that places left-handed pitchers in key spots to exploit this advantage.

By using more pitchers, the Orioles can also leverage their deep bullpen more effectively. The bullpen was a strength for the Orioles in 2023, and maximizing its potential while minimizing overexposure to any one pitcher could significantly improve the team’s overall pitching effectiveness.

The Financial Considerations

A flexible rotation system also has financial implications. The Orioles would not need to go out and sign multiple expensive starting pitchers to round out their rotation. Instead, they could potentially lean on their depth and flexibility, minimizing the need for major free agent investments. This would allow them to focus their resources on bolstering other areas of the roster, such as their offense or defense, while maintaining a strong overall pitching staff.

Additionally, this system could help manage the financial risks associated with starting pitchers. While the team may still make investments in high-quality starting pitchers when the opportunity arises, a more fluid rotation model could reduce the pressure on the team’s payroll and help balance long-term investments with short-term success.

Implementation and Challenges

While the flexible rotation system is an intriguing concept, implementing it will not be without challenges. One of the main hurdles will be developing the depth necessary to execute the plan successfully. The Orioles would need multiple capable pitchers who are comfortable working in both starting and relief roles, and this kind of depth can be difficult to manage, particularly with pitchers who are used to traditional roles.

There’s also the challenge of how to communicate and manage expectations with the team’s pitchers. Starting pitchers are typically more accustomed to a structured role and routine. The Orioles would need to ensure that their pitchers remain comfortable with the new plan and buy into the system, as a lack of cooperation could disrupt the team’s success. Additionally, there will be growing pains as pitchers adjust to the flexibility, especially for younger or less experienced players.

Another consideration is the impact on the bullpen. The team will have to balance the workload between the starters and the relief pitchers. With more pitchers required to fill multiple roles, there is the potential for fatigue to set in, which would require careful management throughout the season to prevent burnout.

Looking Ahead: What This Means for the Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles’ decision to embrace a flexible rotation model reflects a larger trend in baseball toward innovation and adaptability. With a deep and talented bullpen, a rotation full of promise but still in development, and an overall roster that is moving toward contention, the Orioles’ pitching strategy could be a game-changer. By thinking outside the box, they could continue to maximize their resources while positioning themselves as a serious contender in the American League.

Ultimately, the flexibility of the Orioles’ rotation could prove to be a defining feature of their 2025 season. If they can implement this plan effectively, it would give them a unique advantage over teams that continue to rely on traditional rotation structures. By fully embracing a fluid, dynamic approach to pitching, the Orioles may be able to bridge the gap between their current status as a playoff hopeful and their ultimate goal of becoming a perennial contender in the AL East.

While the road to success will require execution, patience, and adaptability, the Orioles are clearly ready to take their pitching strategy to the next level — and that could make all the difference in their drive to return to the postseason.