Late last week, the Orioles added veteran right-hander Charlie Morton A rotation that signed them to one-year deals. On paper, this addition (along with the one-year deal the club signed with the team) Tomoyuki Sugano earlier last month) appeared to be filling out their rotation. It may not be that simple, however, as The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported this morning that Baltimore is still in the upgrade market even after adding Morton to their rotation.
As Rosenthal noted, the Orioles already have a pretty deep rotation as it stands. Morton and Sugano joined Zach Eflin and Grayson Rodriguez As a lock for the club’s rotation next year, Dean Kramer Prepare to be in the starting five. Rosenthal recommends experienced journeymen Albert Suarez If the Orioles opt for a six-man rotation this year, he’ll likely be the club’s sixth starter, but even if they stick with just five starters, Suarez could step into the bullpen as a swingman and he could return. Need to be in the rotation. Cade Povich, Trevor Rogersand Chase McDermott Both can also be used as depth options later in the group.
If Baltimore adds another starter, Kramer would appear to be the odd man out. The right-hander made 24 starts for the Orioles last year and had good results, posting a 4.10 ERA (92 ERA+) and a 4.32 FIP in 129 2/3 innings. That’s a very solid performance for a fifth starter, but those numbers shouldn’t stop the Orioles from upgrading their rotation and keeping Kramer out. After all, the right-hander has posted an ERA at least slightly below average in every season of his career except for 2022, when he threw 125 1/3 innings in a career year An impressive 3.23 ERA.
Kramer, who is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, also has a minor league option, which could provide the Orioles some flexibility if the club decides to further add to the rotation. However, from a speculative standpoint, it’s also possible that the club could consider offering the right-hander as part of a return for acquiring a starter on the trade market. Kramer has three seasons of team control remaining, so offering him is about acquiring a loan pitcher like this Dylan Seth This would be a risky move considering Morton, Sugano and Eflin are all already free agents next winter. That said, it seems likely that Kramer could be part of a return to a controllable arm, e.g. Luis Castillo or Pablo Lopez.
Rosenthal previously reported that the Mariners were hesitant to trade Castillo because their rotation depth lags behind their current starting five, which could make the Orioles a particularly good trade partner, If they’re willing to make Kramer or even one of the younger players like Povich available. Rosenthal reported that the Mariners are in need of major league talent this winter in exchange for Castillo’s services, while noting that Baltimore appears unwilling to trade away from its young position players. Maybe a package focused on Kramer and the first baseman Ryan Mountcastle Giving Seattle a pair of arbitration-caliber players with multi-year control, then, while giving the Orioles the controllable front-line starter they’ve been looking for, would make some sense for both sides.
Of course, the trade market isn’t the only way for Baltimore to upgrade its rotation. former oriole Jack Flaherty Still available on the free agent market, and was frequently contacted by the club before they traded for Morton. If the Orioles remain in the market for a rotation upgrade even after Morton joins, Flaherty remains at least a potential fit for the club’s needs, though some recent reports suggest the club may be hesitant about the asking price for the righty. Decide. Flaherty seems certain to land a multi-year deal this winter, with reports suggesting he is seeking a five-year deal. Such an addition would give Baltimore more certainty in its rotation for 2026 and beyond, allowing them to plan a starting five that includes Flaherty, Rodriguez and Kramer for next season. .
Rosenthal added that in addition to the possibility of further rotation upgrades, the Orioles are looking to replenish their bullpen mix this winter. The biggest addition to Baltimore’s relief corps is definitely the returning closer Felix Bautista Tommy John underwent surgery, but it stands to reason the club could use at least one veteran addition in Cernantoni Dominguez, Yenikano, Keegan Akinand Gregory Soto One of the club’s potential last options ahead of Batista. While Baltimore has not been directly linked to any specific relievers in this year’s free agency, if the club decides to hold off on adding to the bullpen, they are expected to benefit from the fact that there has been little movement on the reliever market so far this winter. Help until later in winter.
