The Orioles could us a big-game starting pitcher with plenty of postseason experience under his belt.
The Orioles received a first-hand look at how injuries can decimate a pitching staff last season. Corbin Burnes anchored the rotation, but nearly every other pitcher spent some time on the IL. Now, with Burnes set to secure a king’s ransom in free agency, the Orioles need to bolster their top five.
Baltimore should still attempt to bring Burnes back, and early reports suggest Mike Elias is willing to play ball, but Burnes will have the ultimate say on his destination. The 30-year-old lived up to the lofty expectations last season, but a projected $200 million contract would not come without risk.
The Orioles can improve their rotation without making such a seismic commitment to one player. To get better, Baltimore must explore the area between Burnes and a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training.
Nathan Eovaldi became a free agent this winter after opting out of a $20 million player option with the Texas Rangers. Eovaldi will be 35 on Opening Day, but the veteran clearly believes he’ll secure a stronger offer on the open market.
Eovaldi finished 2024 with a 12-8 record and 3.80 ERA. He struck out 166 batters and issued 42 walks over 170 innings last season. He posted a 1.107 WHIP, a 3.83 FIP, and a slightly above average 104 ERA+. The respectable numbers came only one year removed from an All-Star campaign that concluded with a World Series championship.
Baltimore proved it can make it to the postseason over the last two years, but the Birds have yet to win a playoff game during this winning window. The O’s expect to compete for another AL East crown, but their offseason moves should focus on what happens after the regular season.
Eovaldi holds a career 9-3 record and a 3.05 ERA over 17 postseason games. The Houston native won rings with Texas and Boston, and he’ll carry a big-game reputation to whichever team he lands with.
Eovaldi spent the last decade pitching for contenders, and he’ll likely seek out another team with title aspirations. The Orioles—filled with young talent—offer a unique opportunity to make an impact. Baltimore has earned praise for their modern approach with analytics and technology, and Elias continues to affirm that the new ownership group is committed to winning.
Adley, Gunnar and the boys should secure plenty of early leads. Félix Bautista form a respectable backend of the bullpen with Yennier Cano and Seranthony Domínguez. The rotation will feature fellow veteran Zach Eflin, Grayson Rodriguez, and maybe even Burnes. Kyle Bradish appears set to return from Tommy John surgery in the second half, and several other intriguing arms could materialize. If the money’s right, there’s a lot to like for Eovaldi.
But what about the Orioles? Can the Birds trust a two-time Tommy John pitcher already in his mid 30s? I advocated for Eovaldi the last time he was a free agent back in 2022. The same age and injury concerns followed him then, but the righty went on to post a career year in 2023.
Eovaldi still features a 95 MPH fastball, an elite chase percentage (32.2), and an above average ground ball percentage (48.9). He doesn’t walk batters (only six percent last season), and his 170.2 innings would have ranked second on the Orioles in 2024.
The Angels inked Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year, $63 million deal earlier this week. Kikuchi is two years younger than Eovaldi but does not possess nearly the pedigree. MLB Trade Rumors predicted a 2 year/$44 million deal for Eovaldi earlier this month.
Those numbers feel extremely doable for an Orioles club under David Rubenstein, and a deal like that should not eliminate Baltimore from chasing Burnes, Blake Snell, or another top free agent pitcher. Texas has expressed a desire to resign Eovaldi, and several other contenders have been linked to the righty, but the Orioles should take a swing at a big-game pitcher capable of earning his money in October.