The Baltimore Orioles had a rough season this year after making the playoffs in 2024. They lost their ace in Corbin Burnes, but they found a new one in Trevor Rogers.
They need a second ace to support Rogers though, and currently, they don’t have one. However, Fansided’s Chris Landers believes he has a solution: Chicago Cubs All-Star ace Shota Imanaga.
“Sure, the thought of Imanaga making road starts in the Bronx or Boston should fill O's fans with dread. But Camden Yards itself was among the most hostile in the league to right-handed power, which would seem to bode well for Imanaga's chances. Just as importantly for Mike Elias, he would give Baltimore a desperately needed rotation addition to support Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish and (hopefully) Grayson Rodriguez, and would do so at a price that wouldn't make anybody in this spend-thrift organization uncomfortable,” Landers wrote.
This past season, Imanaga didn’t do as well as he did in his rookie season, finishing with a record of 9-8, an ERA of 3.73, 117 Ks, and a WHIP of 0.998 in 144 innings pitched. However, putting him in as the No. 2 ace behind Rogers and in Camden Yards could give him the ability to bounce back.
With a 1-2 punch in Rogers and Imanaga, the Orioles’ starting rotation would be totally fixed. Then, they could focus on getting bullpen help and maybe another hitter.
Hopefully, the O’s get on pursuing Imanaga right away. Otherwise, another contender that needs a No. 2 ace will be vying for Imanaga as well.
MORE MLB NEWS