The Baltimore Orioles are coming off a powerful season, but did they truly enhance their offseason? A former star thinks they fell short, criticizing the team’s lack of aggression in strengthening the roster. With rotation depth issues and a vital power deficit, the team is betting on internal enhancement instead of proven reinforcements.
This raises a pressing question: did the Baltimore Orioles do enough to stay competitive in a stacked AL East? Or did the team’s conservative approach leave them vulnerable in a vital year? Critics think the Orioles played it too safe and the numbers could back that up.
“I think they could have done more. Their rotation is short. It is,” Ryan Spilborghs said in an interview. The team enters 2025 with a glaring hole in their starting rotation. Charlie Morton was their only vital addition. They signed him with a one-year, $15 million deal. However, beyond him, the team did not secure another top-tier star. With Kyle Bradish, out until August, Tyler Wells, out until July, and Grayson Rodriguez, out until May because of an elbow injury, the rotation lacks depth and reliability.
For comparison, AL contenders like the Yankees added A. Velazquez, P. Goldschmidt, and B. Davis and the Rangers bolstered their staff with Jacob deGrom. In addition, Baltimore largely stood pat. The team ranked 9th in AL starter ERA in 2024 and adding a 41-year-old Morton will not single-handedly fix that. If the rotation struggles early, their conservative approach could backfire.
Spilborghs highlighted the issue with the team by saying, “you lost 45 homers from a season ago, and you think Tyler O’Neill is going to do that all by himself?” The Orioles’ offense lost vital firepower, with departures establishing a void of 45 home runs from last season. Tyler O’Neill is an elite addition. However, he hit just 17 home runs in 2024 and has struggled to stay healthy in the current years. Taking him to fill that gap alone is a vital gamble.
Did the #Orioles do enough to overcome their past playoff disappointments?
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— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) March 20, 2025
Baltimore Orioles is banking on Colton Cowser, Jordan Westburg, and Jackson Holliday to step up. Holliday, still just 21 years old, has yet to prove himself at the MLB level. Cowser hit .259 with 11 home runs in limited action last year. Westburg batted .267 with 15 home runs. Such are promising numbers, but replacing 45 home runs purely through internal growth is a risky bet.
Smart or a missed scope for the Baltimore Orioles?
GM Mike Elias has established a contender through patience, aiming at prospect enhancement instead of aggressive moves. While this approach has worked in the past, fans think he missed a scope to go all-in this offseason. Instead of trading for an elite pitcher and signing a big bat, the team trusted its farm system. This could pay off in the long run. However, the AL East is an unforgiving division.
To truly solidify their rotation for the 2025 season, the team needs to aggressively pursue reinforcements. While internal enhancement is a priority, relying solely on young arms could be a risky approach. A trade for a veteran talent—potentially packaging prospects, like Heston Kjerstad and Connor Norby—could land them a reliable mid-rotation arm. Free agency also remains an option, with pitchers, like Frankie Montas and Jack Flaherty still available. Internally, the team needs to fast-track Cade Povich’s enhancement and ensure Albert Suárez is ready for a more prominent role. If the Baltimore Orioles need to make a deep playoff run, they can not afford to enter the season with rotation uncertainty.
The Orioles had a chance to fortify their roster but opted for a patient, internal approach. While their young talent is exciting, rotation depth and lost offensive production remain a vital issue. Did Mike Elias make the right call? Will Baltimore regret not being more aggressive? Was this a wise long-period approach, and a missed scope? Share your thoughts.
The post “Could Have Done More” – Orioles Blasted Over Strategic Moves as Former Pro Criticizes Playoff Shortcomings appeared first on EssentiallySports.
