Baltimore Starting Rotation Takes a Massive Hit Ahead of the 2025 MLB Season, Less Than A Fort-Night To Go: Orioles Swing Deal For $15 Million Cardinals Starter To Replace Grayson Rodriguez

As the 2025 MLB season draws near, the Baltimore Orioles, one of the league’s most promising teams, have found themselves facing a significant setback. With fewer than two weeks remaining before Opening Day, the Orioles received unfortunate news regarding their starting rotation. Grayson Rodriguez, the highly-touted right-hander who had been penciled in as a key piece of Baltimore’s rotation, is expected to miss significant time due to injury. In response, the Orioles wasted no time in securing a replacement, swinging a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals to acquire a seasoned veteran starter for a hefty $15 million.

Grayson Rodriguez’s Injury and the Impact on Baltimore

The news regarding Grayson Rodriguez is a devastating blow to both the Orioles and their fans. Rodriguez, who was expected to anchor the starting rotation in 2025, had an electric debut season in 2024. While the righty was still finding his footing in the majors, he showcased an impressive combination of velocity, movement, and poise on the mound. His potential was clear, and expectations were high for him to be a future ace of the staff.

However, with the 2025 season on the horizon, Rodriguez was diagnosed with a shoulder injury that will likely sideline him for the first half of the season. The nature of the injury has led to concerns about his long-term health, making it difficult for the Orioles to rely on him as they chase playoff aspirations this year.

Losing Rodriguez, who had shown flashes of brilliance in his rookie campaign, creates a gap in Baltimore’s rotation that could have wide-reaching consequences. The Orioles had built their hopes on a solid starting staff featuring the likes of Rodriguez, Kyle Gibson, and Dean Kremer, and now the team is faced with the task of replacing a pitcher with enormous upside.

The Deal With the St. Louis Cardinals

In the wake of this injury setback, Orioles’ general manager Mike Elias wasted no time seeking a solution. As the market for starting pitchers shrinks and spring training looms, the Orioles turned to the St. Louis Cardinals to negotiate a trade for a veteran starter who could help bridge the gap in their rotation.

The deal that was struck sends prospects and a pair of low-level minor leaguers to St. Louis in exchange for veteran right-hander Miles Mikolas, a $15 million per-year pitcher with a solid track record in the majors. Mikolas, who turns 35 in 2025, has been a consistent presence in the Cardinals’ rotation for several seasons. His command of multiple pitches and his ability to eat innings make him a valuable asset to the Orioles at a time when depth is a critical concern.

Mikolas has been a reliable performer for St. Louis, even as the team has gone through ups and downs in recent years. Though he may not possess the same kind of electric stuff as Rodriguez, Mikolas’ durability and ability to pitch in high-pressure situations make him an ideal candidate to step in and fill the void left by the young righty’s injury.

Mikolas’ Career and Value to the Orioles

Mikolas isn’t a dominant strikeout pitcher, but he has always been a master of getting soft contact, which has made him successful in the majors. With a career ERA of 3.76 and a WHIP of 1.18 over his eight seasons in the big leagues, Mikolas has proven that he can be an effective and reliable arm. His control, which features excellent command of his fastball and curveball, has helped him navigate through difficult lineups without relying on overpowering stuff.

In 2024, Mikolas posted a 4.10 ERA in 31 starts, logging over 180 innings for the Cardinals. While his strikeout rate dipped slightly, he continued to limit walks, and his experience pitching in the NL Central would serve him well in the AL East, where hitters are notoriously tough. Baltimore’s ballpark, Camden Yards, can be a bit hitter-friendly, but Mikolas’ ability to induce ground balls and work out of jams could make him a perfect fit for the Orioles’ rotation.

In terms of his role, Mikolas is expected to slot in as the No. 2 or No. 3 starter behind Kyle Gibson, who will likely take on the Opening Day duties. His addition stabilizes a rotation that had looked a bit thin without Rodriguez and gives the Orioles a dependable arm to turn to every fifth day.

The Financial Aspect of the Deal

The financial commitment to Mikolas, who is owed $15 million in 2025, represents a significant investment by the Orioles. For a team that has been focused on rebuilding and developing talent in recent years, this move marks a shift toward more aggressive spending, signaling that the front office is ready to push for contention. The decision to acquire Mikolas reflects the urgency of the situation – with the loss of Rodriguez and the expectations for the 2025 season, the Orioles were not willing to stand pat and risk wasting a year of their young core’s development.

While $15 million for a 35-year-old pitcher might seem steep for a team that has been budget-conscious, it is a necessary risk for Baltimore. Mikolas is a reliable veteran who can stabilize a rotation that is otherwise unproven at the highest level. The Orioles’ window for contention has arrived sooner than expected, and this move signals their willingness to supplement their talented roster with experienced players.

Orioles’ Rotation Outlook

With Mikolas now in the fold, the Orioles’ starting rotation looks somewhat more formidable. Here’s a breakdown of how the rotation might shape up for the 2025 season:

1. Kyle Gibson: The veteran right-hander, who was signed to a two-year deal in 2024, is expected to take the Opening Day start. Gibson’s consistency and ability to throw innings make him a solid anchor at the top of the rotation.
2. Miles Mikolas: As mentioned, Mikolas will likely slide into the No. 2 or No. 3 spot in the rotation. His experience and steadiness should provide a stabilizing influence on the staff.
3. Dean Kremer: Kremer is a solid young arm who will likely remain in the rotation. He’ll be counted on to continue developing, with the hope that he can take a step forward in 2025.
4. Tyler Wells: Wells had a promising 2024 campaign and could continue to grow into a reliable starter for the Orioles. His ability to work deep into games will be critical as the team’s rotation depth is tested.
5. TBD (Potential Internal Candidates or Further Acquisitions): Depending on how the rotation develops over the course of spring training, the Orioles may consider giving younger arms a shot or adding another veteran piece if the need arises.

The Orioles’ rotation is far from perfect, but with the addition of Mikolas, they have the potential to be competitive in the tough AL East. Much of the success will depend on the performance of the rotation’s key contributors, including Gibson, Kremer, and Mikolas, along with the continued development of the team’s bullpen and offense.

The Baltimore Orioles’ 2025 season has been set back by Grayson Rodriguez’s injury, but the team has responded swiftly and decisively. The acquisition of Miles Mikolas from the St. Louis Cardinals gives the Orioles a seasoned veteran to replace Rodriguez in the starting rotation. Mikolas’ consistency and experience make him a solid choice to help the Orioles stay competitive in a tough division, and his presence should provide much-needed stability to a rotation that was otherwise a question mark.

The Orioles are sending a clear message with this move: they’re ready to compete for the postseason in 2025, and they are willing to make the necessary investments to do so. Whether the rotation can hold up over the course of the season remains to be seen, but with Mikolas now in the fold, the Orioles have strengthened their chances of making a deep run into the playoffs.