"The Orioles were in on all the big names last offseason, but apparently didn't like the prices on any of them. By January 3rd, the Orioles had committed to Tomoyuki Sugano and Charlie Morton. The only good starting pitcher remaining on the market at that point was Nick Pivetta. Part of Elias' folly was reliance on Grayson Rodriguez and . Injuries have pretty much been constant throughout Rodriguez's big league career. Eflin had a run of good health from 2023-24, but he was also dealing with chronic knee and back pain. While he'd pitched really well for the Orioles in nine regular season starts in '24, his success was mostly about strike-throwing."
"I've written before in this space that holding on to a well-regarded prospect who ultimately does not pan out is just as bad as trading one who does. Elias is not exactly going to get fired for holding on to Heston Kjerstad or last winter, but you have to wonder"
Readers question whether the Orioles will pursue top-of-rotation pitchers given Mike Elias's historically cautious approach. The team signed Tomoyuki Sugano and Charlie Morton early last offseason and avoided pricier options, leaving Nick Pivetta as the best remaining free-agent starter. Dependence on prospects like Grayson Rodriguez, who has struggled with injuries, and veterans such as Zach Eflin, who has chronic knee and back issues, contributed to rotation instability. Eflin produced strong results in limited 2024 starts but did so largely through strike-throwing. Retaining well-regarded prospects who fail to develop carries similar costs as trading ones who become productive major leaguers.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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