The Baltimore Orioles surprised the league when they traded Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels for Taylor Ward.
Rodriguez spent most of 2025 sidelined after elbow issues led to surgery, but moving a young, cost-controlled starter still created a significant void at the top of a rotation that already needed to add arms to compete in the American League East.
General manager Mike Elias has since acknowledged that the club must add “top” and “top-half” pitching, signaling a clear shift toward high-end arms rather than depth.
Baltimore’s competitive window remains open, but its rotation does not reflect that.
Kyle Bradish was expected to be part of the long-term core before undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024, and while he returned to pitch, his innings will need to be monitored. Beyond him, the Orioles lack a dependable workhorse. With the Yankees, Blue Jays and Red Sox all positioned to pursue frontline help this winter, Baltimore risks falling behind in an increasingly aggressive division if it does not respond.
What separates the Orioles from their rivals is financial flexibility. Their projected 2026 payroll sits around $35 million, according to Spotrac, an incredibly low number for a contending team and one that gives them the ability to chase any starter on the market. They can outbid large-market clubs if they choose, something that hasn’t been true for this organization in years. The lingering question is philosophical: will the Orioles finally spend like a team intent on winning now?
The market offers several realistic paths. Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, Ranger Suarez or Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai would give the Orioles the rotation anchor they no longer have.
Trading Grayson Rodriguez, however, means the Orioles do not have to add just one of those top-line starters; they need multiple competitive, established starters to get them back into the competition.
What Baltimore does next will determine whether it remains a rising AL East contender or stalls out just as their window begins to open.
