Question: The Orioles have built their park with the deep left field so that left-handed pitchers should have an advantage, yet their rotation is predominantly right-handed and their two big acquisitions this season – Corbin Burnes and Zach Eflin – are both right-handed. Why don’t they try to sign more left-handed starters to play to their ballpark’s strength? From: Harold Coleman
Answer: Harold, the Orioles did make another trade in late July, acquiring left-hander Trevor Rogers from Miami, and so far that trade hasn’t worked out. He was sent to Triple-A Norfolk after four starts.
Unfortunately, John Means started only four games before he needed Tommy John surgery ,and Cole Irvin, whom they acquired before the 2023 season, didn’t pitch well and didn’t finish the season with the team.
The Orioles do have Cade Povich, who pitched well at the end of the season and should be part of the rotation in 2025. Overall, 40 games, a quarter of the season, were started by left-handers, and I’m sure they’d like to find some more left-handers, but Burnes and Eflin both pitched well.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they ended up with another left-handed starter, but they’re not going to ignore a strong right-hander if one is available and a fit.
Question: I haven’t heard any recent discussion regarding the Orioles’ plans to upgrade OPACY and the game-day experience with the $600 million grant from the state of Maryland.
Are you aware of specific plans and whether they will be in place by Opening Day 2025? From: Regular Ed
Answer: Ed, I got a similar question from John Hall. In the session with Catie Griggs, the Orioles’ president of business operations last month, she told us that she doesn’t expect massive changes to the ballpark this offseason, and that a new scoreboard and sound system are probably projects for the 2026 season.
Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.