Orioles Lefty Starter Poised for 'Massive Payday' in Free Agency

Trevor Rogers' dominant 2025 season has him primed for a big contract next offseason.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:20pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's windup and delivery, with sharp planes of navy, green, and orange overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract representation of the sport.A cubist interpretation of an Orioles pitcher's explosive motion captures the raw power and dynamism of Trevor Rogers' dominant 2025 season.Baltimore Today

Baltimore Orioles left-handed starting pitcher Trevor Rogers is in the final year of his club control and is set to hit free agency after the 2026 season. After posting a stellar 1.81 ERA with 9 wins and 5.4 bWAR in 18 starts last year, Rogers is off to another strong start in 2026 with a 1.89 ERA through his first three outings. If he can maintain this level of performance, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter believes Rogers is in line for a 'massive payday' in free agency.

Why it matters

The Orioles are looking to contend in the tough AL East division, and keeping their ace lefty starter Trevor Rogers would be a huge boost to their rotation. However, Rogers' impending free agency means the Orioles may face stiff competition from other teams willing to pay top dollar for the 28-year-old's services if he continues to dominate.

The details

Rogers had a breakout 2025 season, posting a 1.81 ERA, 9-3 record, 5.4 bWAR, 103 strikeouts, and a 0.903 WHIP in 109.2 innings pitched over 18 starts. He's picked up where he left off in 2026, with a 1.89 ERA, 2-0 record, and 0.8 bWAR through his first three starts spanning 19 innings. If Rogers can maintain this level of production, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter believes he's in line for a 'massive payday' in free agency next offseason.

  • Rogers is in the final year of his club control with the Orioles.
  • He will be a free agent after the 2026 MLB season.

The players

Trevor Rogers

A 28-year-old left-handed starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles who is coming off a dominant 2025 season and is poised for a big payday in free agency.

Joel Reuter

A writer for Bleacher Report who believes Rogers is in line for a 'massive payday' if he can repeat his 2025 performance.

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What they’re saying

“If he comes close to replicating last year's performance, a massive payday awaits.”

— Joel Reuter, Bleacher Report Writer

What’s next

The Orioles will look to re-sign Rogers to a long-term deal before he hits free agency, but they may face stiff competition from other teams willing to pay top dollar for the left-hander's services if he continues to dominate in 2026.

The takeaway

Trevor Rogers' impending free agency is a critical storyline for the Orioles as they look to contend in the AL East. If he can build on his breakout 2025 season, Rogers could land a massive contract next offseason, whether it's with the Orioles or another team.