The Baltimore Orioles made significant moves before the trade deadline by acquiring Zach Eflin and Trevor Rogers, enhancing their pitching staff. Despite these additions, the Orioles did not secure a top-tier ace, which raises questions about their strategy for the upcoming offseason.
MLB.com’s Thomas Harrigan has highlighted concerns regarding the Orioles’ rotation future. A key issue is the potential departure of Corbin Burnes, who is set to become a free agent at season’s end. Burnes, having performed exceptionally well this year, could command close to $300 million on the open market. While Baltimore has the financial capability to make such an investment, their history of refraining from large contracts adds uncertainty to Burnes’ future with the team.
Harrigan speculates that the Orioles’ trade deadline decisions might indicate their future plans. The team’s choice not to pursue a top-tier pitcher like Crochet or Skubal could suggest a belief that Burnes might be retained. Conversely, if the Orioles fail to re-sign him, they might pursue a major trade for another ace. Despite trading away five prospects for Eflin and Rogers, the Orioles still possess a strong pool of young talent.
The Orioles are likely contemplating their options regarding Burnes’ contract, although there has been limited public discussion about it. Losing Burnes would be a setback, putting the team back in the position they faced before acquiring him last offseason. With the need for an ace being evident, retaining Burnes is crucial for maintaining the strength of their rotation. If not, the team’s future pitching prospects could look significantly different.
