Are the Orioles considering replacing Burnes as their ace with a 200-strikeout threat?

The Baltimore Orioles have been steadily improving over the past few seasons, transforming from a struggling franchise to a legitimate contender in the American League. Central to their success has been the strong development of their young core, led by players like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Cedric Mullins. However, while their offense has exploded, there’s one key area where the Orioles have yet to truly establish themselves as an elite team: their pitching staff. While their bullpen has often been a strength, the starting rotation, particularly the absence of a true ace, has been a lingering concern.

Enter the potential move to replace their current ace, Kyle Bradish, or any other high-profile pitchers, with a 200-strikeout threat: a pitcher capable of providing both stability and dominance at the top of the rotation. The question is whether the Orioles are actively considering such a move and, if so, what the impact could be on their team for the 2025 season and beyond.

This article will explore the Orioles’ current pitching staff, the potential for acquiring a high-strikeout ace, and the importance of adding a dominant arm to push the team further in the postseason race.

The Current State of the Orioles’ Rotation

In recent years, the Orioles have had a solid but unspectacular rotation. While they’ve had some promising arms, none have truly emerged as a bonafide ace to lead the staff. Over the past few seasons, Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremer, and Grayson Rodriguez have been part of the team’s core of starting pitchers, with mixed results.

In particular, Kyle Bradish has shown flashes of potential but has yet to fully establish himself as a top-of-the-rotation arm capable of consistently going deep into games and overpowering opponents. In 2023, Bradish posted a 4.56 ERA with 148 strikeouts in 183.1 innings. While those numbers are respectable, they don’t scream “ace,” especially when compared to some of the top pitchers in the league. Bradish has the ability to miss bats, but his inconsistency in terms of controlling the strike zone and limiting damage has kept him from truly reaching the next level.

On the other hand, Grayson Rodriguez has had ups and downs during his rookie campaign. Highly regarded as one of the top pitching prospects in the league, Rodriguez has struggled with command issues in his transition to the majors. His ability to generate strikeouts has never been in question—he had a remarkable 13 strikeouts per 9 innings in the minors—but his struggles with walks and home runs have been problematic. In 2023, Rodriguez posted a 5.33 ERA with a 9.5 K/9 rate. His stuff is electric, and he has the potential to be a dominant pitcher, but he still needs to refine his command.

Dean Kremer and Kyle Gibson have been serviceable, but they lack the dominant, strikeout-generating ability that can carry a rotation in the postseason. With that in mind, the Orioles are left without a true ace that can go toe-to-toe with the best pitchers in the league, especially in crucial games during a playoff push.

The Importance of an Ace in Today’s MLB

The role of an ace has evolved over time, but it remains crucial for any team with serious postseason aspirations. A true ace is not just a workhorse who can eat innings, but a pitcher capable of taking over a game and dominating the opposition. In today’s MLB, a dominant ace is often defined by their ability to generate strikeouts, control the strike zone, and deliver consistent performances when their team needs it most.

There’s an undeniable value to having a pitcher who can go deep into games, rack up strikeouts, and neutralize opposing lineups. The postseason, especially in October, is often decided by the performance of a team’s top pitchers. Think of pitchers like Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, or Justin Verlander—these are players who can shift the momentum of a series with their sheer dominance.

For the Baltimore Orioles, who have made significant strides in their offensive game, the addition of a true ace could provide them with the stability and dominance needed to compete with the top teams in the American League. Having a pitcher who can strike out 200 batters in a season would not only give the team confidence, but it would also relieve some of the pressure on their offense to always carry the load.

The Case for a 200-Strikeout Threat

A pitcher capable of 200 strikeouts in a season would immediately elevate any rotation, and for the Orioles, such a pitcher could make the difference between a solid season and one with genuine championship aspirations. A dominant strikeout pitcher provides numerous advantages to a pitching staff, including:

1. Misses Bats and Keeps Defenses Fresh: A pitcher who can generate strikeouts consistently takes the pressure off the defense. Instead of forcing the defense to make plays on balls in play, a strikeout pitcher can simply overpower hitters, reducing the risk of errors, bloopers, and prolonged innings. In today’s game, strikeouts are a key metric for evaluating a pitcher’s ability to dominate.
2. Keeps Runners Off Base: Strikeout pitchers typically limit the number of base runners they allow. By keeping hitters off the bases, a strikeout pitcher makes it harder for teams to generate rallies. They’re less likely to give up weak contact, which is critical when facing top-tier offenses.
3. Deepens the Rotation: A pitcher with the ability to strike out batters consistently can often go deeper into games, as they tend to throw fewer pitches per at-bat. This can save the bullpen and provide more rest for the other pitchers on the staff, especially in a postseason run.
4. Elevates Team Confidence: When a team knows that they have a strikeout artist at the top of their rotation, they enter every game with a sense of security. This allows the rest of the pitching staff and the offense to focus on doing their jobs without having to worry as much about pitching matchups. It’s a confidence booster for the whole squad.
5. Postseason Advantage: In the postseason, a strikeout pitcher can be the difference-maker. High-leverage games often come down to who can generate swings and misses, especially when facing elite offenses. A pitcher capable of consistently striking out batters will be more effective in high-stress situations.

Possible Targets for the Orioles

If the Baltimore Orioles are considering replacing Kyle Bradish or any other pitcher with a 200-strikeout threat, they would likely need to target high-profile free agents or make a trade to bring in a front-of-the-rotation arm. Here are a few pitchers who could fit the bill:

1. Corbin Burnes (Milwaukee Brewers): Burnes has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the MLB over the past few seasons. In 2023, he posted 243 strikeouts in just 202 innings with a 2.94 ERA. His ability to miss bats with a devastating slider and sinker makes him a prime target for teams looking for a true ace. The Orioles, if willing to part with some prospects, could make a trade for Burnes, though the cost would likely be steep.
2. Sonny Gray (Minnesota Twins): Gray has emerged as a reliable and dominant pitcher in recent years. After a career resurgence with the Twins, he posted a 2.79 ERA with 202 strikeouts in 2023. Gray’s experience, control, and ability to strike out batters would make him a valuable addition to the Orioles’ rotation, especially considering his postseason experience with the Cincinnati Reds and Oakland Athletics.
3. Blake Snell (San Diego Padres): Blake Snell is coming off a season where he posted a 2.74 ERA with 234 strikeouts in 2023. While he’s had inconsistent seasons in the past, Snell’s ability to dominate hitters and generate swings and misses makes him a high-ceiling option for the Orioles. Snell would add another left-handed option to their rotation, giving them a more diverse pitching staff.
4. Max Scherzer (New York Mets): While Scherzer may be on the back end of his career, his track record as one of the best strikeout pitchers in the game is undeniable. Even in 2023, Scherzer posted 200 strikeouts with a 4.46 ERA. His experience in high-leverage postseason games would provide tremendous value to a team like the Orioles, who are on the cusp of competing for a World Series.
5. Zac Gallen (Arizona Diamondbacks): Gallen has emerged as a top-tier pitcher in the National League, regularly generating strikeouts with his mix of pitches. In 2023, he recorded 235 strikeouts with a 3.47 ERA. His strikeout potential and ability to limit hard contact would make him a perfect fit for a team like the Orioles looking to solidify their top rotation.

What a 200-Strikeout Pitcher Means for the Orioles’ Future

Acquiring a 200-strikeout pitcher would have profound implications for the Orioles’ future. It would solidify their rotation, giving them the type of ace they’ve been missing for years. It would also send a message to the rest of the American League that the Orioles are serious contenders for the postseason and beyond.

If the Orioles can add a top-tier strikeout pitcher to their staff, they would enter 2025 with one of the most balanced rosters in the league. With their explosive offense and improved pitching staff, the Orioles could make a deep postseason run and challenge for an American League pennant.

Ultimately, replacing Kyle Bradish or another pitcher with a 200-strikeout threat could be the move that pushes the Orioles from a promising team to a true World Series contender. Whether through free agency or trade, the Orioles should be active in their pursuit of a dominant ace to complete their championship-caliber roster.