The Baltimore Orioles are making moves to try to bolster their rotation.
The Orioles went into this weekend with the weakest starting arms in the American League East, but they reportedly added a little consistency by agreeing to a deal with free agent Yovani Gallardo on Saturday, per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman. Gallardo has been linked to Baltimore since the beginning of February, and Heyman reported the contract is for three years and $35 million with an option for a fourth year.
Gallardo isn’t a star by any means, but he can give the Orioles some assurance in their lackluster rotation. The 30-year-old righthander has an average ERA of 3.66 in nine major league seasons and has averaged about 181 innings per year.
Gallardo posted his lowest full-season ERA with the Texas Rangers in 2015, going 13-11 with a 3.42 ERA, but his strikeout rate has been steadily declining. He’s been pitching in hitter-friendly ballparks his entire career with the Milwaukee Brewers and Rangers, and he won’t get a break from that with the Orioles, as Camden Yards is third on the list of hitter’s parks.
Thumbnail photo via Peter Llewellyn/USA TODAY Sports Images
