The Orioles’ big offseason gamble has quickly turned into a case study in expensive disappointment. With high hopes riding on a veteran pitcher brought in to anchor their rotation, the team’s plans have unraveled faster than expected. As mounting losses threaten to undermine the entire season, one player’s brutally honest confession raises a glaring question: Can the Orioles afford to keep riding this aging arm, or is it time to admit the mistake?
Not everything in life goes as we want, and that is exactly what has happened with the Baltimore Orioles. After signing Charlie Morton to replace Corbin Burnes, things have not gone as expected; Morton has become more of a liability. After losing to the Detroit Tigers, Morton spoke to the press and said a few words about his performance.
After their 6-2 loss to the Tigers and losing the series, Morton said, “I didn’t feel like I was getting beat around the park. I was just kind of beating myself.” His 2025 season has had a very bad start when compared to his previous seasons.
Morton has started the season 0-6 with an ERA of 10.36, but in the game against the Tigers, the Orioles flipped the script a bit. Known for his starting role, Morton was moved to the bullpen and used as a reliever. We can’t say that this affected his game, as this has been the story all season.
After the game, manager Brandon Hyde said, “I thought he looked a little bit better. I thought the curveball was better… I thought he was a little bit more competitive in the strike zone even though he had those walks.” Despite giving up 3 runs in 3.2 innings pitched, Hyde thinks that his pitching has improved compared to previous games.
Despite Morton’s honest self-assessment and Hyde’s hopeful spin on his performance, the writing is on the wall: this gamble isn’t paying off. The Orioles’ pitching woes are far from fixed, and the clock is ticking on whether this aging arm can ever deliver on its hefty $15 million price tag. Maybe it’s time for the Orioles to consider a new playbook—one that doesn’t involve desperately hoping for a veteran comeback.
Is Charlie Morton the scapegoat the Baltimore Orioles need?
In the chaotic, injury-riddled mess of the Orioles’ 2025 season, the search for a scapegoat has been desperate. Amidst a starting rotation that could generously be called “flimsy,” Morton’s struggles have made him a prime candidate for blame. With a 0-6 record and a 10.36 ERA, Morton’s performance has raised a simple question: Can the O’s afford to keep pretending it’ll improve?
The Orioles have had a horrible start to the 2025 season with a 10-16 record and are at the bottom of the AL East. Before the season, the Orioles had some big expectations for the youngsters and expected them to step up, but that has not been the case. Especially their starting rotation, which has been in an absolute mess.
Their starting veteran, Morton, has been at the top of an unwanted list and has given up the most earned runs (25) in the Majors this season, which has raised alarm. Morton has not been able to find pace or control over the mound, and this has been his story. The Orioles have no viable alternatives to replace a struggling Morton, and with Rodriguez, Eflin, Albert Suarez, and Chayce McDermott all dealing with injuries, they have no option but to use Morton.
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