The offseason isn’t over. Many free agents remain unsigned, including some starting pitchers the Orioles covet. However, it’s clear the Orioles have been a winner, perhaps the biggest winner so far this winter.
Fans were skeptical that the Orioles would be major participants in free agency. Not only have they been, but they’ve pulled off two major trades, and they’re not done yet.
“Winning” the offseason doesn’t guarantee the Orioles will win this season. These moves have convinced a skeptical fanbase that the team is determined to win now.
After three consecutive winning seasons and two winless playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024, last season started horribly for the Orioles, and they ended with a 75-87 record.
Last season’s attendance dropped 21 percent. Fans also were upset that their beloved 13-game ticket plans had been eliminated, and they were told they had to buy 20- or 40-game plans instead.
Something needed to be done.
The Orioles have signed four free agents — first baseman Pete Alonso (five years, $155 million), reliever Ryan Helsley (two years, $28 million), starter Zach Eflin (one year, $10 million plus a mutual 2027 option), and outfielder Leody Taveras (one year, $2.1 million).
They’ve also added starter, Shane Baz, whom they acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays for four top 30 prospects, and outfielder Taylor Ward, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels for starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez.
Reliever Andrew Kittredge, traded by the Orioles to the Chicago Cubs, was re-acquired in November for cash considerations.
Those additions give the Orioles an estimated payroll of $151.6 million, 17th in baseball. If the team signs additional free agents, it’s going to rise markedly.
According to MLBTradeRumors.com, the Orioles’ outlays of $195.1 million are the second highest in the majors, trailing only the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto’s outlay of $277 million was fueled by the biggest signing of the offseason, starter Dylan Cease (seven years, $210 million).
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the winter came on New Year’s Day when Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai agreed on a reported three-year, $54 million contract with opt-outs after the first and second season with the Houston Astros.
Imai was the seventh-ranked free agent this winter, and MLBTradeRumors predicted he’d receive a huge deal, six years, $150 million.
Now that Imai, a client of Scott Boras, is off the board, two of his other clients, left-hander Ranger Suárez and right-hander Zac Gallen, could come next. So could another left-hander, Framber Valdez, who’s been linked to the Orioles. Those are the three highest-ranking free-agent starters available.
Oriole fans are excited about the team’s activity this winter, particularly the signing of Alonso. After years of conservative spending by president of baseball operations Mike Elias, the team appears to be all-in on 2026.
Perhaps encouraged by David Rubenstein, in his second offseason as the team’s owner, Elias has been extraordinarily aggressive while two of the Orioles’ American League East competitors, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, have been quiet.
The Yankees’ spending of $29.025 million puts them in the middle of the pack. Most of that outlay was the surprising acceptance of a $22.05 million qualifyting offer by outfield Trent Grisham.
Along with the Colorado Rockies, the Boston Red Sox have yet to sign any free agents, though they may remain in the market for third baseman Alex Bregman, who opted out of his contract.
Even if the Red Sox don’t re-sign Bregman, it seems unlikely that they won’t participate in the free-agent market, and the Yankees seem likely to buy as well.
The offseason moves have improved the Orioles, and they might reduce the pressure on the Orioles’ core of young players — Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday, Adley Rutschman, Jordan Westburg and Colton Cowser.
In speaking with longtime fans, they seem excited about the 2026 season. Most impressive is the addition of two strong right-handed bats, Alonso and Ward. Even though Alonso has better numbers against right-handers, Ward is a better hitter against lefties. Those additions should eliminate the weaker lineups the Orioles have presented against left-handed starters.
Winning the offseason has been fun. An additional move or two would be fun, too. Spring training should be more exciting, but we’ll have to wait until March 26th to see if the Orioles can win during the season, too.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.