The Baltimore Orioles are taking steps to enhance their rotation after Corbin Burnes left after just one season.
The Orioles obtained the 2021 National League Cy Young awardee from the Milwaukee Brewers prior to the 2024 season. During his only season with Baltimore, Burnes achieved an All-Star nod, finishing with a record of 15-9, a 2.92 ERA, and an ERA+ of 128. He tallied 181 strikeouts over 194⅓ innings and ended up fifth in the American League Cy Young voting.
Burnes shocked the baseball community by agreeing to a six-year, $210 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The agreement features an opt-out option following the second year and $64 million in postponed funds.
His relocation to Arizona left the Orioles lacking a genuine ace. Although Baltimore’s recent addition enhances the rotation’s backend depth, it doesn’t entirely make up for Burnes’ exit.
The Orioles revealed on Friday that they have agreed to a one-year, $15 million deal with two-time All-Star and 17-year veteran Charlie Morton, as reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Morton played for the Atlanta Braves for the past four seasons, achieving a minimum of 30 starts and throwing over 163 innings annually. His strikeout numbers decreased during that period—from 216 to 167—and his ERA+ fluctuated between above and below average.
In 2024, Morton recorded an 8-10 win-loss record with a 4.19 ERA and an ERA+ of 99. He fanned 9.1 batters per nine innings and issued 3.5 walks per nine.
With Morton joining, the Orioles’ rotation now includes Zach Eflin, Grayson Rodriguez, and newly-signed Tomoyuki Sugano in the first four positions. The fifth starting position might be assigned to Dean Kremer, Cade Povich, Trevor Rogers, or Chayce McDermott. Baltimore has been associated with Jack Flaherty and has the prospect assets to target trades for Dylan Cease or Luis Castillo.
The Orioles seek to enhance their performance from last season, which concluded with a Wild Card round defeat by the Kansas City Royals.
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