Orioles' first major pitching signing since Corbin Burnes' departure will frustrate fans

The Baltimore Orioles dealt for Milwaukee Brewers ace Corbin Burnes last offseason knowing that, as a one-year rental, he may be departing for greener pastures (and a larger payday) before 2025. While they certainly hoped that lifelong fan David Rubenstein's ownership might change that a bit, fans were prepared for the reality of Burnes being a one-year wonder.

What they were not prepared for was the Orioles trudging towards 2025 without an ace of any kind to replace Burnes.

Grayson Rodriguez's injury-plagued campaign resulted in a solid 20 starts, but not the '24 breakout many foretold. Kyle Bradish, closer to ace-like, posted eight excellent outings, but succumbed to a barking elbow of his own. Dean Kremer and Zach Eflin sit somewhere in the middle.

Alas, Burnes, Blake Snell, and Max Fried were all too rich for Baltimore's blood this offseason. Possible trade addition Garrett Crochet went to the Boston Red Sox. Dylan Cease may or may not be on the market. Maybe they'll splurge.

Instead, though, the Orioles have replaced Burnes (for now) with lower-ceiling options, such as Tomoyuki Sugano and Friday's addition, Charlie Morton. Once a curveball-slingin' mystifier for the 2017 Astros, Morton is now 40 years old. He cost $15 million.

Orioles sign Charlie Morton after losing Corbin Burnes to Arizona Diamondbacks

Another rental!

Morton was serviceable in the NL East last season in Atlanta, making 30 starts totaling 165 1/3 innings and maintaining a 4.19 ERA. But Orioles fans have plenty of "serviceable" arms. They're looking for somebody great, and Morton -- especially at this point in his career -- does not have the upside most fans were seeking.

Rodriguez could certainly take a major step forward this season, but that's not the kind of thing a team smack dab in the middle of their contention window should bank on with any certainty. The league's best teams build the top tier, then fill out their rosters wisely with valuable depth. The Dodgers seemingly cannot stop squeezing pedigreed prospects out of the rotation and lineup with big-ticket additions. The Orioles, in terms of their rotation, seem to have skipped straight to the filler. Anthony Santander seems likely to depart as well.

Young rosters full of superstars are only young for so long before they're expected to gel and progress. Right now, the Orioles' front office is not giving Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman the opportunity they deserve to prove their greatness. Before too long, there may be no way to win back the community's good will without a pair of pricey extensions -- oh, and that ace they've been looking for.