Normally, the Orioles six-game winning streak, the longest of the season, would be the headline news of the day. But on Saturday, it was just one of three big stories.
At 2 p.m., they announced that Eric Booth Jr., the Mississippi high school outfielder drafted with the seventh overall pick a week before, had signed a contract.
Then, a bit over two hours later, came the biggest and most surprising news. Starting pitcher Kyle Bradish signed a five-year, $90 million extension. The 29-year-old right-hander was scheduled to start on Sunday, but manager Craig Albernaz told reporters in Houston that because of Saturday’s news, he’d be pushed back and Brandon Young would start instead.
The Orioles haven’t had a seven-game winning streak since July 2023 when they won eight straight.
Bradish, who had Tommy John surgery in June 2024, has been a reliable starter when healthy, but by the time the contract takes effect in 2027, he’ll be 30, and 35 by the end of the deal in 2031. A contract that averages $18 million a season, which is less than the Orioles are paying 37-year-old Chris Bassitt this year, doesn’t seem outrageous.
Bradish will reportedly make $10 million in 2027, $13 million in 2028, $17 million in 2029 and $22 million and $28 million in 2030 and 2031.
The Orioles were reportedly pursuing two top free-agent starting pitchers in the offseason — Ranger Suárez, who signed with Boston for five years and $140 million, and Framber Valdez, who landed with Detroit for two years and $70.65 million.
Comparing Bradish’s deals with those two is a reminder how expensive front-line pitching is, and that the Orioles are much more comfortable with mid-range deals with starters with whom they’ve had some history.
Before Shane Baz started his first game for the Orioles, and just after Opening Day, they signed him to a five-year, $68 million extension.
Having Baz and Bradish signed for 2027 and beyond will help president of baseball operations Mike Elias as he negotiates an uncertain labor environment this winter.
Combined with Young, who’s pitched unexpectedly well, and Dean Kremer, under club control for another year, that’s a decent start in building a rotation.
It would seem wise for the Orioles to retain left-hander Trevor Rogers, who’s pitched as well over the last month as he did for much of 2025 when he had a 1.81 ERA in 18 starts.
In Saturday’s 4-2 win over Houston in 11 innings, Rogers gave up one run on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings.
This six-game run has featured three wins with the Orioles getting five hits or fewer. They had five in the 3-2 win on Friday night and on Saturday, too.
With Rogers pitching well and Baz and Bradish already secured, it would be an opportune time to sign an extension with Rogers, especially since he has said multiple times how much he’d like to stay with the Orioles.
Their starting pitching is stronger. Trey Gibson and Cade Povich are at Triple-A Norfolk and by this time next season, they could have even more help.
Joseph Dzierwa, the left-hander who was drafted in the second round last year and performed well at both High-A Frederick and Double-A Chesapeake, could be ready for the Orioles.
The Bradish extension is the third handed out under control owner David Rubenstein. Last August, catcher Samuel Basallo, who hadn’t even played a week in the majors, agreed to an eight-year, $67 million deal.
Under John Angelos, the Orioles’ previous owner, contract extensions like those given to Basallo, Baz and Bradish were a non-starter, and the idea of signing free agent Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million deal would have be laughable.
Times are different under Rubenstein and Mike Aroughetti.
The Orioles would love to see catcher Adley Rutschman, who’ll be a free agent after 2027, stick around. Pairing him with Basallo could give the Orioles another great weapon, but it seems like Rutschman is playing the waiting game.
When he’s been asked about signing an extension with the Orioles, he’s declined to answer.
Until now, this has been a difficult season, and despite the recent winning streak, qualifying for a wild-card spot is still a long shot. The Orioles are 48-51. They haven’t been three games under .500 since June 12th, and haven’t been at .500 since April 30th.
The Orioles are without utility player Blaze Alexander, out with a fractured left hand, for an extended period. His .312 average leads the team, and he’s helped make up for the absence of Jordan Westburg at third.
The starting rotation continues to pitch well, but the bullpen needs reinforcement, particularly with closer Ryan Helsley out with right elbow inflammation.
Rico Garcia, Yennier Cano, Tyler Wells, Andrew Kittredge and the closer of the moment, Cam Sanders, combined to allow an unearned run on two hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Sanders, who had an 8.68 ERA with Pittsburgh, got two crucial outs on Friday and the save on Saturday.
After their game in Houston on Sunday, the Orioles will travel to Boston, where the Red Sox, whom they’re now chasing in the wild-card race, have run off 12 consecutive wins for the first time in 20 years.
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