The Orioles got another starting pitcher, but they gave up two MLB-ready bats to do so.
About four hours before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline, the Orioles acquired left-hander Trevor Rogers from the Miami Marlins for prospects Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers. Rogers will join a rotation that also added right-hander Zach Eflin, whom the Orioles acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.
Rogers, 26, had a 4.53 ERA and 1.528 WHIP with the National League-worst Marlins this season. In his first year of arbitration, Rogers is under control through the 2026 season — likely a significant reason the Orioles needed to give up both Norby and Stowers to acquire him.
Rogers, the 13th overall draft pick in 2017, broke out in 2021 with the Marlins to make his first and only All-Star team and finish second in NL Rookie of the Year voting after posting a 2.64 ERA and 157 strikeouts in 133 innings. But he has yet to recapture that success since, recording a 4.92 ERA and 1.494 WHIP with fewer strikeouts than innings since 2022.
Rogers pitched only 18 innings last season because of a left biceps strain and a partial tear in his right lat. He struggled to begin this season but has been better recently with a 3.48 ERA over his past 10 starts. He owns a career 4.23 ERA across 80 starts.
“We think that he’s going to be a really good fit toward the middle, back part of this rotation,” general manager Mike Elias said on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network broadcast during the Orioles’ 6-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. “Fits in well with the group. He’s got a real live, sneaky arm, a lot of extension. He gets a lot of ground balls, and I think that from the left side is something we haven’t had in this rotation for a while.”
Rogers now gives the Orioles a rotation with five experienced arms, but he isn’t as flashy or dominant as other names on the market, including left-handers Blake Snell and Garrett Crochet. Ace Corbin Burnes will continue to headline the group, while Grayson Rodriguez, Eflin, Rogers and Dean Kremer round it out.
It remains to be seen whether Rogers or Kremer would slot in as the Orioles’ No. 4 starter in a playoff series, but this move appears to be more about getting to the playoffs in a healthy spot and looking to the future.
“We still have two months to play, too,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “So you’re hoping you stay healthy for the next two months, but we’ve had a few starters go down already this year. We’re always looking for depth and looking for guys that can help you. Hopefully, Trevor can.”
While Eflin and Rogers are not traditional top-of-the-rotation arms, they bolster a group that was in need of help. Burnes has been as advertised in his first year in Baltimore after Elias made the biggest trade of his tenure by acquiring the ace from the Milwaukee Brewers in February. And Rodriguez has been a solid No. 2 in his sophomore campaign.
But season-ending elbow injuries to starters Kyle Bradish, John Means and Tyler Wells left holes in the Orioles’ rotation that Eflin and Rogers fill.
“I’m excited,” Hyde said. “Still have some time left, so it’s not the end. We’ll see what happens. To have [Eflin] the experience he brings, you saw what a pro he was [Monday]. With Rogers, incredible rookie year. And I know he’s had some injury stuff, but the last couple months have been really good. So hopefully those guys can both help us down the stretch.”
Orioles players barely knew the trade’s full details when they walked into Camden Yards’ clubhouse Tuesday afternoon. First baseman Ryan Mountcastle, who wasn’t traded at the deadline despite rumors he could be on the move, said he’s looking forward to watching Rogers pitch for the Orioles. His debut will likely come in Cleveland during the Orioles’ four-game series versus the American League-best Guardians.
“I think it’s a good addition to the team,” Mountcastle said. “You know, definitely gonna miss the guys we got rid of but, yeah, we’re excited.”
Cedric Mullins needed to ask lockermate Heston Kjerstad, whose locker is where Austin Hays’ was before the outfielder was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, to find out who the Orioles gave up for Rogers.
Mullins’ name was on the trade market, but the Orioles kept the center fielder who has hit better in recent weeks after he slumped in May.
“I’m just now finding out about the full details,” Mullins said. “All around solid. Stowers and Norby are going to get the opportunity that they’ve struggled to get here. … It’s always nice to see guys that you’ve been around get their shot.”
Norby, 24, and Stowers, 26, have both spent time in the major leagues with the Orioles and have proved they are too good for Triple-A. Norby, a second baseman who can play corner outfield, is a career .296 hitter with an .877 OPS in 227 Triple-A games. Stowers, an outfielder who can play all three spots, has hit .253 with an .870 OPS in 243 career Triple-A contests.
However, Baltimore’s position player depth made opportunities in the majors difficult to find for the pair. With Jackson Holliday likely the future at second base and Kjerstad and Colton Cowser already performing in the major leagues, Norby and Stowers found themselves on the outside looking in. Stowers debuted with the Orioles in 2022 and appeared briefly in each of the past three seasons. Norby made his MLB debut in June when Jorge Mateo was injured and rejoined the team last week when Mateo suffered another ailment.
“Part of the game, the unfortunate part of saying goodbye to people sometimes,” Hyde said. “I was just talking to Connor about being excited for him to get a really good opportunity. Hopefully have a great opportunity there to play and showcase himself as a major league player and Kyle in the same boat — guys that have really put really good numbers up and Triple-A and looking for an opportunity, and hopefully they get one in Miami.”
Stowers was once seen as part of the future in Baltimore after the Orioles selected him with their third pick in the 2019 draft — after Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson. Norby, who Baseball America ranked as the No. 7 prospect in the Orioles’ farm system, was drafted in 2021’s second round after Baltimore selected Cowser with its first pick.
“Many emotions right now but thank you to Baltimore for giving me a chance to grow and show what I can do,” Norby posted on social media. “I love this city, these fans, my teammates and coaches, and I loved every second of being an Oriole. My family and I are forever grateful Birdland.”
Cowser, along with many players in the Orioles’ clubhouse, came up through the minors with Norby and Stowers.
“Those are two of my better friends in this organization,” Cowser said. “On one hand I’m upset to see them go, but on the other hand, I’m really excited for them to get an opportunity. They’re gonna be great big leaguers, and they’re really good people and really good ballplayers.”
Kjerstad’s name was also in trade rumors. He’s had to grapple with the possibility that he’s traded to another team, and he’s come up with an interesting analogy to understand the deadline.
“It’s a transaction,” he said. “It’s like when you go to dinner and you buy a steak. You’re trading the steakhouse a $100 bill for the steak and you feel like you’re getting a good value, steakhouse says they’re getting a good value. So, that’s the way it is with teams.”
After the trade, the Orioles selected the contract of utility player Terrin Vavra, replacing Norby on the 40-man and active rosters. The 27-year-old Vavra, who made the Orioles’ opening day roster in 2023, is slashing .269/.377/.423 — good for an .800 OPS — in 31 games with Triple-A Norfolk this season.
