As the Baltimore Orioles navigated free agency, it became evident they were hesitant to target a certain category of pitchers.
Early reports indicated that the Orioles were cautious about pursuing pitchers who had been extended a qualifying offer, which last offseason was valued at just over $21 million.
The qualifying offer system allows teams to either retain their free agents for one more year or secure draft pick or international bonus pool compensation if those players sign elsewhere. Players can either accept the one-year qualifying offer or reject it to test free agency.
Baltimore extended qualifying offers to pitcher Corbin Burnes and outfielder Anthony Santander. Both players signed with new teams, earning the Orioles two compensation picks between the first and second rounds of the 2025 MLB Draft.
Several notable pitchers who received qualifying offers last offseason—including Max Fried, Nick Pivetta, and Sean Manaea—were linked to Baltimore at various points.
Fried ultimately inked a record-setting $218 million deal with the New York Yankees, making it the largest contract ever for a left-handed pitcher. Manaea returned to the Mets on a three-year, $75 million agreement. Pivetta, considered the most affordable of the trio, signed a four-year, $55 million deal with the San Diego Padres.
Financially, Pivetta was within reach for the Orioles. Though San Diego surrendered a draft pick to sign him, early returns have justified the risk: in five starts, the 32-year-old right-hander is 4-1 with a 1.20 ERA, striking out 30 and walking just seven over 30 innings. The Padres also structured the contract to be team-friendly, backloading payments and including a two-year opt-out clause, meaning they might only be responsible for half the total value.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Orioles, along with other pitching-starved teams, missed a significant opportunity. “You think the Baltimore Orioles, who have MLB’s worst ERA, and a whole lot of other teams wish they had taken the plunge?” he wrote.
Instead of pursuing pitchers tied to draft pick compensation, Baltimore signed veterans Charlie Morton, 41, and Japanese standout Tomoyuki Sugano, 35, both on one-year contracts. Morton has struggled badly, while Sugano has performed respectably.
Adding to Baltimore’s woes, top starter Grayson Rodriguez is sidelined on the 15-day injured list with a right lat strain. Ace Zach Eflin is also on the 15-day IL, while Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells are out long-term with elbow injuries. Other potential contributors like Albert Suarez, Trevor Rogers, Cody Poteet, and Chayce McDermott are also battling injuries.
Given the rash of injuries and rotation struggles, it’s clear the Orioles have reason to regret not being more aggressive in pursuing Pivetta last offseason.
