Yes, the Baltimore Orioles aren’t actually set to offer Roger Clemens a deal. However, as the season continues, it is clear that the Orioles pitching staff has a major problem- old worn-out pitchers. Two of their biggest starters have been atrocious and there’s a reason why.
Orioles Starting Pitching Is a Problem
How Did It Get to This Point?
It all began last season with a dismal trade deadline. Instead of getting great starter pitcher such as Garrett Crochet, who actually was a top target, the Orioles settled with Trevor Rogers. Now, many can see why people say that the O’s got robbed, as they gave up a few decent if not great players for an abysmal starting pitcher. Rogers record last season was 2-11 with an 4.92 ERA. His last best season was in 2021, where he pitched to an 2.92 ERA in 21 starts. However, it is clear that the O’s believing they could fix him is so far wrong.
Baltimore’s offseason was also pretty bad as they allowed Corbin Burnes to walk and didn’t do much to replace him. Tomoyuki Sugano was the Orioles best starting pitcher they acquired. However, Sugano is obviously not going to replace Burnes, not to mention, Sugano is also 35. The O’s only worsened their chances of a good rotation by not trying hard enough to get good free agent pitchers. Charlie Morton and Kyle Gibson, 41 and 37, are among the biggest problems for the team. Having them in the rotation may not be sustainable.
The O’s Left Searching for Answers
Baltimore’s only hope before it’s too late is Rogers. Yes, Rogers was atrocious in 2022, 2023, and 2024. However, desperate times make for desperate hopes. Is it really time for desperation? Honestly, yes. Last season, the New York Mets began 22-33 and finished 89-73. That might make one you think 13-23 isn’t that bad. However, New York knew it could comeback with a good team and a good rotation.
Hinging your hopes on Morton and Gibson is not a good thing at all. However, things get even worse. Cade Povich and Dean Kremer, two pitchers in the rotation that aren’t 80 years old, have been horrible. Povich’s ERA is 5.55, while Kremer’s is 5.24. The only good starting pitcher in the rotation has been Sugano, which has clearly not been enough. Such an atrocious rotation means that the O’s must turn things around quickly or face.. Death. The AL East already has good competition, and simply put, being 13-23 means your doing worse than just about everyone that isn’t named the Chicago White Sox and Colorado Rockies.
One Simple Way to Put It: A Fail by the Front Office
The sad thing is the Orioles were supposed to be the stuff of legends this season. After two great seasons, many expected Baltimore to compete. The O’s simply pulled a Pitt, also known as a Pittsburgh Pirate, where you have a good amount of great young players and leave them to rot until they finally find a better team. The Orioles literally simply failed to do anything with young studs. A simple pitcher such as Griffin Canning would have put the Orioles in a way better position.
All in all, no, Roger Clemens hasn’t been offered by the Orioles. However, one is fooled into thinking that it’s possible when Baltimore decides to pivot for atrocious starting pitchers. Yes, not every team is going to be like the Mets, who weren’t supposed to have a good rotation but for some reason have a great one. However, the Orioles still didn’t even try to make their rotation into something good. What record should you expect when look at the rotation and think “wow, this team would have been 10 years ago”.
Main Image: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
