Baltimore Orioles: Starting pitching will be an offseason conundrum
By Tim Haberin
This winter the Baltimore Orioles will be caught between their desire to revamp their rotation and their aversion to handing out big contracts.
Starting pitching has traditionally been a weakness for the Baltimore Orioles. In recent memory, contending O’s clubs have relied far more on their powerful bats than their rotation in pursuing the postseason. That hasn’t changed this year, as Baltimore sports the league’s second-worst starters’ ERA at 5.64. They barely edge the Cincinnati Reds, who come in at 5.66.
Strong play coming out of the All-Star break unexpectedly vaulted the Orioles back into the Wild Card race, but they’ve turned ice-cold in recent weeks. Losers of 14 of their last 17, the O’s sit 7.5 games out of the playoff picture and have officially been eliminated from contention. Poor starting pitching has played a significant role in their latest slide: O’s starters have sputtered to 5.94 ERA in September.
Rather than commit to a rebuild by dangling superstar Manny Machado in offseason trade talks, Baltimore is set on taking another shot at the postseason in 2018. But instead of neglecting its flagging rotation, the team plans to give it a noticeable boost. According to Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com, general manager Dan Duquette aims to add not one but two starters over the winter.
Rarely big spenders, the Orioles surely aren’t in play for the top names like Yu Darvish and old friend Jake Arrieta. However, several middle-tier options will be available that could at least provide a sizable boost over what Baltimore has in its stable right now.
Rays right-hander Alex Cobb could be the most prominent arm that the O’s would have a reasonable chance to nab. He’s had a solid year after missing nearly two full seasons due to Tommy John surgery, posting a 3.66 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 29 starts. Numerous teams will likely be vying for his services, though.
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Otherwise, veterans coming off quietly productive campaigns may be fits for Baltimore. Andrew Cashner, Jason Vargas, Doug Fister and Jaime Garcia are just a few. Each has at least one legitimate concern or question mark, but none of them would break the bank either, which would be among the Orioles’ main concerns.
Nevertheless, Dan Connolly of BaltimoreBaseball.com wonders if past failures will give the O’s pause when evaluating potential free agency additions. Case in point – Ubaldo Jimenez, whose disastrous four-year, $50 million is mercifully coming to an end. The Orioles’ budgetary constraints virtually necessitate them considering pitchers who aren’t quite sure things.
While any of the ones mentioned above could help the club, it’s also not too difficult to imagine them turning into a Jimenez-esque misstep, especially in a hitter’s park like Camden Yards.
Regardless, Baltimore can’t ignore its obvious rotational needs if it’s serious about contending next season. Of this year’s crew, only one hurler who has made at least 10 starts has an ERA under 4.50. (That’s Dylan Bundy at 4.24.)
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It shouldn’t be too challenging to improve the current staff, as it would hard to imagine it getting much worse. But improving it enough to make a difference in next year’s playoff race could be like navigating a minefield.