Orioles fans shouldn't take easy way out being discouraged by Cade Povich's future

The Baltimore Orioles avoided adding the frontline starting pitcher many fans were hoping for at the start of the offseason, but there's no question that there was a focus on upgrading the starting rotation. The Orioles brought back Zach Eflin for stability at the backend of the rotation, but the trade for Shane Baz and the signing of Chris Bassitt serve as the true additions to the rotation.

In making those moves, Mike Elias and Co. seemingly pushed Cade Povich out of a job. No one is going to lose sleep over the fact that the Orioles' moves this offseason ignored Povich's development, but it seemed like it would have been an early rush to judgment on the 25-year-old southpaw.

In a tick over 112 innings pitched last year, Povich posted an ERA of 5.21, but his underlying metrics suggested there were tools to work with. The former Minnesota Twins third-round pick struck out over 24% of the hitters he faced and had an xFIP of 3.95. With less than 40 major league appearances to his name, the hope should be that even with the moves the Orioles made this past winter, there is still room for Povich on the team's pitching staff.

Cade Povich might suddenly become a bullpen lifesaver for the Orioles

Povich's path forward with the Orioles may include a role change. He pitched two scoreless innings in his Grapefruit League debut this spring, and afterward, hinted that he would be open to pitching out of the bullpen.

“It’ll continue with talks with them,” Povich told reporters. “If whatever they come to me with, if they say, ‘We think this is going to help the team best,’ then I’m all for it.”

Sometimes, the best relief pitchers turn out to be failed starting pitchers. That was the case for former Kansas City Royal starting pitcher Brad Keller, who turned into a bullpen ace for the Cubs last season. When mapping out Povich's role on the 2026 Orioles, Keller's success with the Cubs last year may be the best-case scenario.

Helping his cause is the fact that the Orioles are in need of left-handed options in the bullpen. Keegan Akin and Dietrich Enns are the established left-handed relief pitchers in Baltimore's bullpen, but neither is cemented into a spot on the Opening Day roster. Especially when both have struggled during their early outings in spring training.

If the Orioles are trying to make the most out of their pitching staff, Povich in the bullpen might be the best path forward.