FanPost

Should Baltimore Add an Extra Starter?


The Baltimore Orioles have been fairly busy during this offseason. However, some may say that there are a few more moves to be made. One of these moves is to add a starting pitcher.

Last season, the Orioles had nine different pitchers make starts throughout the course of the season. This included pitchers such as Yovani Gallardo (traded to the Seattle Mariners for outfielder Seth Smith) and Vance Worley (signed a minor-league deal with the Washington Nationals), who are no longer with the organization. Other pitchers like Mike Wright (3-4 record, 5.79 ERA) and Tyler Wilson (4-6 record, 5.27 ERA) will probably be included in the conversation as well.

Here is the Orioles projected starting rotation without any additions:

  1. Chris Tillman (16-6 record, 3.77 ERA)
  2. Kevin Gausman (9-12 record, 3.61 ERA)
  3. Dylan Bundy (14 starts, 36 games, 10-6 record, 4.02 ERA)
  4. Ubaldo Jimenez (8-12, 5.44 ERA)
  5. Wade Miley (2-5 record with Baltimore, 6.17 ERA)

Miley was acquired during the season for LHP Ariel Miranda (Seattle). He didn't pitch too well in Baltimore if you look at the entirety of his stats. However, Miley has also made some changes in the way that he has approached pitching at the end of the season. He added a cutter to his arsenal, and used his sinker more often, which allowed him to pitch better in September.

Jimenez had his troubles during the season, which caused him to be moved to the bullpen at one point. One game in the series against the Washington Nationals, Jimenez had a great start. He only gave up one run and his confidence seemed to soar. In the months of August, September and a small part of October, Jimenez finished with a 3.92 and 2..31 ERA respectively.

These two pitchers are the wild card, but Baltimore could still add a starter to the fold. One name that has been mentioned in the past is free agent pitcher Doug Fister.

In 2016, Fister had a 12-13 record and a 4.64 ERA with the Houston Astros. Fister has a career ERA of 3.60 and he could help the Orioles at the back end of their rotation. Adding him could come at a reduced price, as he may want to prove himself for a better contract. If he signs a one year deal with Baltimore, the starting rotation immediately looks like this:

  1. Chris Tillman
  2. Kevin Gausman
  3. Dylan Bundy
  4. Doug Fister
  5. Ubaldo Jimenez
  6. Wade Miley (Miley becomes the sixth starter or a long reliever)

Would this be a move that could bolster the O's starting rotation? I would believe so. Fister has a better ERA and record than both Jimenez and Miley. If he is part of the Orioles starting staff in 2016, Baltimore will have extra veteran in the clubhouse as well. Fister has been a part of many playoff team an he's a winner.

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