Orioles Trade Rumors: Baltimore’s pitching woes set to get much worse after deadline

Even the most disconnected Baltimore Orioles fans are well aware that their pitching situation, especially the rotation, isn't great at the moment. During the first half of the 2025 season, Baltimore ranks 28th in starting pitcher fWAR (3.2), 29th in starting pitcher ERA (5.16), and 27th in starting pitching FIP (4.69). That's a lot of numbers to say that the Orioles rotation has been dreadful throughout the 2025 season and could become significantly worse in the coming weeks.

Despite a bit of a hot stretch leading up to the MLB All-Star break, most experts and pundits believe the Orioles will do some measure of selling at the trade deadline. According to USA Today's MLB insider Bob Nightengale, it's sounding more and more like the Orioles could trade three of their rotation arms at the deadline unless Baltimore goes on an absolute tear after the break.

Orioles Rumors: Baltimore likely to trade Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano, and Zach Eflin at the deadline barring a turnaround

This isn't earth-shattering information by any stretch. Morton and Sugano are both on one-year deals and neither pitcher is exactly lighting things up on the mound in 2025. As for Eflin, he has been at the center of trade discussions for a while now, even after he got hurt in late-May.

Still, the idea that the Orioles could trade all three players raises some questions about who exactly is going to be starting for Baltimore in the second half. Grayson Rodriguez and Kyle Bradish may return after the All-Star break, but it seems as if it'll be sometime later in August before that happens. Cade Povich could be an option, but he is still making his way back from an issue with his hip that landed him on the IL earlier this year.

Assuming no setbacks occur during rehab, Baltimore's true shortage of starters may be a bit overstated here. However, if the Orioles sell off all three of those starters and then suffer a setback or two, things could get even uglier in a hurry for Baltimore.

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