4 starting pitchers Orioles should pursue at trade deadline after Cade Povich's rocky debut

While the Baltimore Orioles are a very good team once again, they have a flaw starting to emerge. The pitching staff has been sub-optimal. They were short to start the season in the rotation, were briefly healthy, and then the injuries hit again in the form of season-ending elbow surgeries for John Means and Tyler Wells. Add in Dean Kremer hitting the 15 Day IL with a triceps strain, and the strain has become evident.

In an attempt to patch holes in the rotation and give Kyle Bradish a little extra rest, the Orioles called up touted pitching prospect Cade Povich to start the series finale against a division rival in the Toronto Blue Jays, who the Orioles made quick work of in the first two games. It didn't go so well for Povich, as he was tagged for six runs on five hits and four walks in his debut, a 6-5 loss for the O's.

While a lot has been made of Craig Kimbrel's struggles and the Orioles' possible pursuit of another high-leverage relief arm at the trade deadline, it's now time for the Orioles to shift to starting pitching upgrades at the trade deadline.

Which starting pitchers should the Orioles target at the trade deadline?

Garrett Crochet

In the middle of his first season in the starting rotation for the White Sox, Garrett Crochet would be a boon for the Orioles rotation. He hasn't missed any time this year and has been pretty good, posting a 3.49 ERA, 2.88 FIP, and 0.93 WHIP in 13 starts and 69 2/3 innings at the top of the White Sox rotation.

His ERA+ is at 115, above league average, and his advanced metrics are absolutely stellar. How stellar? Try a rating above the 90th percentile in fastball run value, fastball velocity, expected ERA, expected batting average, strikeout percentage, and extension.

To top it all off, Crochet isn't scheduled to hit free agency until after the 2026 season, so it's a commitment for the long haul as well. While Crochet might cost a pretty penny, the Orioles have the ability to make it happen, and he has the potential to be way better at his peak than current-day Means.