Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Orioles fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
If nothing else changes with the health of their starting pitchers between now and the start of the regular season, the Orioles have six experienced major league starters ready to go: Chris Bassitt, Shane Baz, Kyle Bradish, Zach Eflin, Dean Kremer, and Trevor Rogers. Basic math tells us that’s one more starter than the five-man rotation that’s been standard in baseball for decades now.
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Every one of those six guys has enough of a major league track record that it would be a surprise to see them shunted into the bullpen, or even the minors for those who can still be sent there. Bradish and Rogers certainly aren’t going anywhere based on recent performance. Bassitt and Eflin are on $10+ million contracts. The Orioles traded four prospects for Baz. Then there’s Kremer, who isn’t the most high-ceiling of this bunch but has a perfectly fine set of career numbers.
This week’s survey is a simple question: Do you think the Orioles should go for a six-man rotation with this group?
Over a full season, a six-man rotation means every starting pitcher would end up with 27 starts rather than the 32-33 starts that pitchers in a five-man rotation typically get. On one hand, it’s not good for the Orioles if they’re diluting the number of games for Bradish and Rogers to potentially dominate. On the other hand, given that those guys aren’t guaranteed good health, it’s not a bad way to limit their innings and give a little extra rest.
The only price paid by a six-man rotation is there’s one fewer pitcher in the bullpen, and it’s not like the Orioles have so many great relief options that the idea of trimming one of them is unappealing.
Results will be posted later in the week.
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