It’s been an exciting and fulfilling two months for Mike Elias. Since October 27th, he Orioles’ president of baseball operations has hired a new manager, Craig Albernaz, acquired two power-hitting right-handed bats — first baseman Pete Alonso and outfielder Tayl0r Ward — signed a new closer, Ryan Helsley, and traded for a setup reliever, Andrew Kittredge, and a starter, Shane Baz.
In Elias’ video conference call on Saturday, he said the work on the 2026 Orioles isn’t done yet.
“We’re gonna keep working and looking for opportunities to improve the team and improve the roster,” he said. “Or just maybe there are moves that we think are good value exchanges and we take advantage of those opportunities. I don’t know what’s coming. We’re just going to keep working in the marketplace.”
For four of the five players, the Orioles spent heavily. Four top 30 prospects and the No. 33 pick in next year’s draft for Baz, a rotation starter in Grayson Rodriguez for Ward, and large contracts (five years, $155 million for Alonso and two years, $28 million for Helsley).
The Orioles were able to reacquire Kittredge for cash considerations, so they were able to fill one of those holes for the cost of his $9 million salary in 2026.
“In terms of our kind of wish list at the very beginning of the offseason, it was at the top of our list, we were looking for a backend reliever, we were looking for one starting pitcher, we were looking for a big bat, and I think that we definitely checked those boxes, but there’s more that we’re going to be able to do and try to do,” Elias said. “Our ownership group has put us in a really good position to explore all these things, and that’s been a huge benefit for us so far this offseason is the support that they’re providing. I also know that the American League East is certainly not finished with their activities, so we’ll just keep going.”
The Orioles need another starting pitcher since two of their five projected starters, Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells, combined for only 10 starts in 2025 after their June 2024 right elbow surgeries.
Two of their top targets, Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez, are still unsigned, or perhaps they’ll consider Baz as their big get and sign a depth piece.
Besides Baz, Bradish and Wells, the Orioles have Trevor Rogers and Dean Kremer for the rotation. They also have Cade Povich and Brandon Young for depth.
Last week, they re-signed Albert Suárez to a minor league contract, and he can be used as a starter or in relief.
Adding Suárez to Helsley, Kittredge, Keegan Akin, Dietrich Enns, Kade Strowd could give the team a competitive bullpen, though they’ll probably look to add another arm or two. They still have Yennier Cano, Rico Garcia, Yaramil Hiraldo, Colin Selby and Grant Wolfram from 2025.
Besides an additional starter and more bullpen depth, Elias could try to sign a utility infielder. They have Luis Vázquez, who can play all four infield positions, but he’s not on the 40-man roster. They also have Jeremiah Jackson, but his major league experience is at third base and right field.
It doesn’t seem likely the Orioles will spend heavily on another utility player. Nor do they seem eager to hold a roster spot for a third catcher. They briefly had Drew Romo on the roster but lost him on a waiver claim to the New York Mets. Maverick Handley was also removed from the 40-man roster. He wasn’t claimed off the waiver wire, and he’ll be around for insurance.
One issue they’ll have to deal with in the seven weeks before spring training is what to do with an old favorite, Ryan Mountcastle. Alonso’s signing made it unlikely that both Mountcastle and Coby Mayo remain.
Elias said on Saturday that the Orioles had use for Mayo, who spent last year working on his first base skills.
“He had, I think, a very successful stretch run last year, he looked really good and is in a really good spot,” he said. “And there is still a lot of playing time available for him on a team that has Pete Alonso now. We have first base reps, we have designated hitter reps, as you mentioned, and the exploration of other positions — whether it’s third or something in the corner outfield — has been something we’ve always talked about with him. So the path remains open for him.”
Mountcastle’s projected salary in 2026, his final year before free agency, could be $7.8 million, and it seems the Orioles will try to use him in a trade.
The Orioles could also attempt to add another outfielder, though they’ve already signed Leody Taveras to serve as insurance.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.