Peter Schmuck: Should the Orioles try to extend Rogers and Bradish?

When the Orioles showed that they really are “open for business” – as control owner David Rubenstein stated during the media event that followed the long-term lockup of newly acquired starting pitcher Shane Baz – it raised an obvious question:

Who’s next?

The first young player who comes up in the sports talk show conversation is Gunnar Henderson, of course, but he really isn’t high on the list because there is no reason for him to sell himself cheap (relatively, of course) when he is on the cusp of superstardom and may someday be the player sitting next to super agent Scott Boras announcing MLB’s first billion-dollar contract.

So let’s get real. The guys we’re talking about are Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish, who both could end up being perennial Cy Young candidates when they get their feet fully under them, but who both have reason to consider accepting extensions that would make them and their grandchildren never have to worry about the rising cost of groceries or BMWs.

Don’t be surprised if one or both of those dominoes falls soon, because pitching is a much riskier business than playing shortstop, as evidenced by the frequency of season-ending injuries to some of the best pitchers in the sport.

Bradish and Rogers have already learned that first-hand, so you would think that financial security would be kind of a big deal to both of them. But the risk/reward equation impacts the decision on both sides of the negotiating table.

Rogers was fantastic during his shortened 2025 season, which should allay any fears about his ability to dominate on the mound. He wasn’t quite that dominant in his first two starts this year, but he showed that even when he is not at his sharpest, he is resourceful enough to work out of trouble and has two victories and a 1.36 ERA to prove it.

Bradish showed before his long injury absence that he also is a formidable talent and pitched very well after returning to the Orioles’ rotation late last season. He has shown flashes of that brilliance during his first two starts but has allowed six earned runs and six walks in 8 ⅔ innings and was the losing pitcher in both games.

I doubt anybody is going to overreact to that ugly line, since Bradish gave up four of those earned runs in one unfortunate inning against the Pirates on Friday, but it would probably make sense to let him settle into his role as the club’s No. 2 starter before ramping up the extension talk.

It might be strategic for the Orioles to proffer something to take advantage at a moment when Bradish might be feeling insecure, but anyone who has been around the young man would know that self-confidence is not a problem.

He’s clearly struggling with his command at the moment, but he should be able figure that out over his next few appearances. Rogers has shown, so far, that he is the bright light that he appeared to be over 18 starts last season, so the Orioles probably have enough evidence to move toward an extension if he is amenable.

I’m not sure how any of this is impacted by the looming labor difficulties that could delay the start of the 2027 season, but it didn’t stop the Orioles from signing Baz to a five-year, $68 million deal. And he is still a somewhat unproven commodity.

If they really are open for business, they might want to get down to it.