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Orioles 'biggest roster hole' is same issue they tried to address last offseason
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- Orioles 'biggest roster hole' is same issue they tried to address last offseason
Orioles 'biggest roster hole' is same issue they tried to address last offseason originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Baltimore Orioles made a lot of moves this past offseason to try to become contenders out of the AL East again in 2026.
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Their addition of Pete Alonso was incredible, and he's going to receive MVP votes this season. However, the Orioles' other big moves, namely in the starting rotation, didn't go nearly as well.
Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report has the "biggest roster hole" for the Orioles to fill this offseason: their starting rotation. For the second straight offseason, the top issue for the Orioles will have to be addressed.
Orioles once again dealing with big rotation roster issue
"Biggest Roster Hole: Starting Rotation," Miller writes. "Trevor Rogers is going to be one of the five most coveted arms in free agency this winter. Re-signing him will neither be easy nor cheap."
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Finding a way to keep Rogers would be great for this Orioles team, as their current rotation heading into the 2027 season is not in the best of shape.
Shane Baz, Kyle Bradish, and Brandon Young make up the core of the Orioles rotation right now. Considering how many of the best teams in MLB have more than three good starters, the Orioles likely need to make a few moves to round out the rotation.
While they have some young arms worth considering, trusting rookies or pitchers the Orioles cannot trust might be a recipe for disaster.
MORE: How Mets could have advantage over Dodgers in free-agent pursuit of Tarik Skubal
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Adding a high-level starting pitcher would make a lot of sense. Fortunately, if there was ever a good year to need rotation help, it's this one.
Tarik Skubal is the top prize and would make a ton of sense for the Orioles. But if they want to go a lot cheaper, Michal King, Robbie Ray, Kevin Gausman, Freddy Peralta, Casey Mize, and Tyler Mahle are just a few of the pitchers set to be available.
They could also turn to the trade market, with Sandy Alcantara, Logan Gilbert, Joe Ryan, and potentially a few others emerging as realistic rotation upgrades they could consider.
Miller believes the Orioles' biggest roster hole is their starting rotation, and with the potential departure of Rogers and the questionable options, even among some intriguing prospects, adding a veteran starter or two this offseason is a must for Baltimore.
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