Bleacher Report proposed Orioles offseason trade that they need to avoid

The Baltimore Orioles will need to address their starting rotation this offseason. They helped themselves out by giving long-term extensions to Shane Baz and Kyle Bradish in the last year, and Brandon Young's emergence gives them a solid three starters. Their highest-ceiling pitcher is headed into free agency, and they'll also need to replace Chris Bassitt.

Unfortunately for the Orioles, this is a weak free-agent class for high-end starters, which means if they want to find upgrades, they may be scouring the trade block. Luckily for the Orioles, if it comes down to that, they are set up well.

One name that will likely be circling the rumor mill is Spencer Strider. The righty on the Braves was apparently going to be traded to the Rangers at the trade deadline in a deal for Jacob DeGrom, but DeGrom declined to waive his no-trade clause. Because the Braves were obviously open to trading him, teams around the league will likely be calling, and Bleacher Report thinks Baltimore should be one of them.

In their "6 Realistic MLB Trades That Could Happen in 2026-27 Offseason" article, they mocked a trade between the Braves and the O's that sent Strider and cash to Baltimore for outfielder Nate George and shortstop Wehiwa Aloy. According to MLB Pipeline, George is the Orioles No. 7 prospect, and Aloy is No. 9. On the surface, this looks like a great deal for the Orioles, who would acquire a former top-5 Cy Young finisher, but with Strider's recent history, Baltimore needs to stay away.

Spencer Strider's last few seasons should be a major black mark that keeps Baltimore away

Injuries have thrown a wrench in Spencer Strider's career. After an incredible 2022 and 2023 season where Strider looked to be one of the best up-and-coming pitchers in the game, he lost almost all of 2024 to the second major arm surgery of his career. He came back in 2025, but wasn't the same. He made 23 starts and finished the season with a 4.45 ERA in 123 innings. Now, not every pitcher bounces straight back from major arm surgery, but he also didn't get the chance to showcase whether he was back to his elite form in 2026.

Strider made just eight starts this past season and had a 5.31 ERA. Started the season on the IL due to an oblique injury, made his first appearance in May, and then inflammation in his throwing elbow got him shut down for the rest of the season in June. The injuries have caused his average fastball velocity to decline every season, from 98.2 mph in 2022 to 95.1 in 2026.

If the injuries weren't the first reason to stay away, he also has a large guaranteed contract. Strider signed a heavily backloaded 6-year, $75 million contract that started in 2023. He is due $22 million for the next two seasons and has a club option at the same amount for 2029 (or a $5 million dollar opt out).

The Orioles are not in a spot to take a financial risk like that. They need to prioritize pitchers that will raise the ceiling of the rotation. The injuries and money make the chances of Strider doing that very low.

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