The Baltimore Orioles, once celebrated as one of baseball’s most exciting young clubs, have spiraled into disappointment this season. After last year’s breakout, the franchise has stumbled into disarray, leaving fans and players questioning the team’s direction. The latest blow has come as All-Star left-hander Trevor Rogers, Baltimore’s unquestioned ace, cut ties with the organization.
Rogers, who earned his first All-Star nod with the Miami Marlins in 2021 before joining the Orioles, has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise bleak campaign. In 17 starts this season, he has dominated with a 1.35 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP over 106.2 innings — numbers that put him in Cy Young conversation. At just 27 years old, his ceiling remains remarkably high.
Despite Rogers’ brilliance, the Orioles’ collapse has created uncertainty about their future. Fansided’s Christopher Kline noted earlier this month that Rogers’ walk year could generate a surge of offseason trade interest. “One of the Orioles’ rare bright spots this season has been southpaw Trevor Rogers, who has provided Cy Young-level dominance when available,” Kline wrote. “We can expect a lot of trade interest this offseason as he enters his walk year.”
Kline argued that the Orioles should have prioritized keeping Rogers, but acknowledged that general manager Mike Elias might have seen things differently. “Ideally, the Orioles should have held pat, especially given their present pitching scarcity. However, if Elias misreads the long game and tries to sell high, Rogers has the potential to make Baltimore regret his decision for years. He shouldn’t be on the street, but in this front office, you never say never,” Kline added.
Baltimore already parted ways with a previous ace, Corbin Burnes, and losing Rogers could further unravel a rotation that lacks stability. For a franchise teetering on the edge of another rebuild, the decision to let Rogers walk away underscores the uncertainty plaguing the team’s future.
The Orioles may hope to reset and reload, but watching their best arm depart is a painful reminder of how quickly momentum can fade. For Rogers, cutting ties with Baltimore could open the door to a contending club — while leaving Orioles fans to wonder how their team unraveled so quickly.