The Baltimore Wire
Fansided

Baltimore Orioles: 3 free agent pitchers the Orioles should consider

By Christopher Church

Jul 25, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Jorge De La Rosa (29) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 25, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Jorge De La Rosa (29) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Baltimore Orioles
Oct 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Colby Lewis throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Colby Lewis

The veteran righty pitcher Colby Lewis is coming off a rejuvenated 2016 season with the Texas Rangers where he went 6-5 with a 3.71 ERA in 19 starts.

On Tuesday, Lewis made his departure from the Texas Rangers official Tuesday by bidding his farewell to the franchise as his former teammates’ (Rangers’ pitchers and catchers) began spring training workouts. The 37-year-old did not hint that he intends to leave baseball altogether and retire.

In addition to his age, a lat strain that caused Lewis to miss almost two months is a major red flag to teams around the league.

After missing the entire months of July and August, Lewis returned in September. In three starts during the month, Lewis pitched 12 innings while going winless with a 9.75 ERA. Lewis attempted to salvage his dreadful Sept. by making his final start of the season on Oct. 1 against the Tampa Bay Rays where he threw 6.1 innings and didn’t allow an earned run.

However, Lewis crushed all the momentum from his solid start to conclude the regular season by allowing five earned runs in just two innings during game three of the AL Divisional Playoffs.

Ultimately, Lewis is an affordable signing and could provide quality innings as the Orioles’ await the return of Tillman. Lewis could also be an excellent fill-in starter throughout the season for the Orioles as pitchers like Jimenez undergoes his seasonal slump.

When comparing Lewis and the bottom half of the O’s rotation in walks per nine innings (BB/9) last season, Lewis had a lower rate than the selected Orioles’ starting pitchers, including the MLB league average of 3.14.

Source:

Lewis would instantly improve a pitching staff last year that finished last in the AL for walks allowed.

The Baltimore Orioles’ must revive the back of the rotation and Lewis is coming off a season where he tossed six or further innings in 13 of his initial 14 starts prior to hitting the disabled list. With a career 3.82 ERA in March/April, Lewis could instill some confidence to the backend of the rotation.

Home/Baltimore Orioles