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Orioles 'didn't do enough' in MLB offseason despite Shane Baz, Chris Bassitt decisions
TL;DR
The Baltimore Orioles made significant roster moves in the offseason, including signing All-Star Pete Alonso. However, analysts believe the team failed to adequately address their starting pitching needs, potentially leading to regrets in the upcoming season.
Orioles 'didn't do enough' in MLB offseason despite Shane Baz, Chris Bassitt decisions originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After a disappointing 2025 season, the Baltimore Orioles made many notable roster moves during the offseason.
The most significant, of course, was signing All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso. He has the potential to hit 40 to 50 home runs any given year and brings a veteran presence to the clubhouse.
On the pitching side, the Orioles made a handful of additions, but FanSided's Zachary Rotman believes the AL East club will regret not having a more aggressive approach.
"One decision that's gone awry that was easy to forecast, though, was their inability to acquire an ace," Rotman wrote Tuesday. "Starting pitching was a major concern for the Orioles entering the offseason, and while they did address it, they didn't do enough."
At the moment, left-hander Trevor Rogers is the ace of the staff. He finished last season on a very strong note, but there are injury concerns with him and Kyle Bradish.
More: Red Sox never close on Astros’ Isaac Paredes trade
"The best starting pitchers they acquired were Shane Baz and Chris Bassitt, two solid options, but ones who lack ace pedigree," wrote Rotman. "Baltimore could've spent money on a proven ace like Framber Valdez or Dylan Cease. They could have traded for one like Freddy Peralta."
Signing an All-Star arm or trading for one takes two to tango. Perhaps the Orioles were unwilling to meet Valdez's high asking price; he ultimately signed with the Detroit Tigers.
The Orioles can still make additions to the pitching staff at the trade deadline, so there is still at least one way they can improve.
More MLB news:
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- Mets didn’t want to trade Brett Baty while White Sox didn’t want Mark Vientos in Luis Robert Jr. trade
- Shohei Ohtani deemed more valuable than Aaron Judge in recent ESPN discussion piece
Q&A
What major roster changes did the Baltimore Orioles make in the offseason?
The Orioles signed All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso and made several additions to their pitching staff.
Why do analysts believe the Orioles didn't do enough in the offseason?
Analysts argue that the Orioles failed to acquire a top-tier starting pitcher, which was a significant concern for the team.
What impact could the Orioles' offseason decisions have on their 2025 season?
The lack of a strong starting pitcher may hinder the Orioles' performance in the 2025 season, leading to potential regrets about their offseason strategy.
