Amid critical Trade Deadline stretch, Rogers hopes to stay and 'help the boys win'

BALTIMORE -- Two years ago, Trevor Rogers was dealt on Trade Deadline Day, moving from the Marlins to Orioles on July 30, 2024. He’s hoping to not experience that feeling again between now and Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. ET, which is the Deadline for ‘26.

“Hopefully, when the Deadline comes and goes,” Rogers said, “I'm still here.”

Rogers has made his feelings for Baltimore quite clear since arriving here. The 28-year-old left-hander would like to be pitching for the O’s beyond this year -- even though he’s set to become a free agent after the season -- and has publicly said multiple times he’d be open to negotiating an extension.

If the Orioles buy at the Trade Deadline, Rogers will stay and help try to get the team to the postseason. If they sell, the southpaw could be their most valuable trade chip because of his recent success and expiring contract. If they do a mixture of both, who knows what his future will hold.

After Friday night’s 7-6, 10-inning loss to Atlanta at Camden Yards, Baltimore is 50-54 and 3 1/2 games back of the third American League Wild Card spot, presently occupied by the Guardians (54-51). But the Mariners (51-53), Twins (51-54) and Astros (51-54) are also ahead of the O’s, who sit even with the Tigers.

So, it’s a crowded mix. But both control owner David Rubenstein and president of baseball operations Mike Elias stated their optimism that the Orioles can still make a push toward the postseason and make an October run earlier in the day at the press conference celebrating right-hander Kyle Bradish’s recently signed five-year, $90 million extension.

Elias didn’t mince words when talking about Baltimore’s stretch between now and the Trade Deadline, which features two more games vs. Atlanta, three at Detroit and three against Philadelphia. It’s no secret the O’s can’t afford to lose too many of these games.

“We're coming up on the Deadline,” Elias said, “so the next several games are really important, and everybody is really focused on these next several games.”

Despite Friday’s setback, Rogers remains confident in how the club will respond and play.

“I love this group. We're right there,” Rogers said. “It was a tough one today, but I trust us to come back tomorrow and get the job done.”

It’s easy to see why opposing teams would have interest in Rogers if he is made available on the trade market -- and it’s the same reason why the Orioles could have interest in keeping him long-term as they continue to construct a core for their rotation after inking extensions with Bradish and right-hander Shane Baz (five years, $68 million in March).

Rogers tossed seven more quality innings on Friday, allowing two runs during an impressive 88-pitch, 72-strike performance. Since June 4, Rogers has a 1.80 ERA over nine starts and has lowered his season mark to 4.17.

Rogers’ 18 whiffs were the most of his 41-start Orioles tenure and his most since 2022. His career-best 81.8% strike rate was the best by an MLB pitcher this season (minimum 50 pitches) and the highest by an O’s hurler in the Pitch-tracking Era (since 2008, also minimum 50 pitches).

“Rog was outstanding tonight,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “He threw the ball extremely well, real efficient, pounding the strike zone. He did an outstanding job for us.”

It’s been another impressive turnaround for Rogers, who has dealt with plenty of adversity during his two-year run in Baltimore. After recording a 7.11 ERA in four starts and getting optioned to Triple-A Norfolk in 2024, he came back and won the Most Valuable Oriole Award in ‘25, posting a 1.81 ERA over 18 starts and placing ninth in AL Cy Young Award voting.

Rogers had another difficult stretch earlier this year, recording a 10.01 ERA over seven starts from April 14-May 29. But he’s now back on track and pitching like he did during 2025.

So as the Trade Deadline quickly approaches, Rogers isn’t thinking about what may or may not happen. He wants to keep pitching well, and he hopes to be taking the mound for the Orioles during meaningful games in August, September and beyond.

“It really just goes back to controlling what I can control,” Rogers said. “At the end of the day, I can't control [the Trade Deadline]. Just go out there and try to be consistent with my job and help the boys win."