As Mike Elias and the 29 other teams’ top baseball executives converged on Las Vegas for the annual general manager meetings this week, the Orioles were already busy between hiring a new manager, swinging the first MLB trade of the winter and reshuffling the fringes of their 40-man roster. A nontender decision or two aside, the next moves they make will be acquisitions aimed at improving their chances of competing for the playoffs in 2026. 

No area of the roster will be more important for Baltimore to get right than the lineup, which was the driving force behind its postseason appearances in 2023 and 2024. The Orioles’ offense took a step back last season because of both regression for several of their young stars and injuries that kept the lineup from ever operating at full strength. 

“All of us in the org, there’s a lot of soul searching and looking in the mirror individually what could each of us have done better to get a better result for the team, and that definitely applies to those guys,” said Elias, the Orioles’ president of baseball operations, at his end-of-season news conference in September. “We’ve talked about it, we’re formulating plans and we’re going to do everything that we can to have them bounce back and get back on track.” 

While every position on the diamond is already spoken for in one way or another, the Orioles could stand to upgrade their lineup in free agency after clearing ample payroll space the past few months. Here’s a look at some of the top hitters available on the market and how they might fit in Baltimore. 

(Players who have been extended a qualifying offer are marked with an asterisk. Ages listed are how old players will be on opening day next season) 

*OF Kyle Tucker, 29 

The clear No. 1 free agent available this winter is Tucker, a reliable corner outfielder who has been a safe bet for 20 to 30 home runs and an OPS north of .800 every year since 2021. While he’s not be the headliner Juan Soto or Shohei Ohtani were in recent offseasons, Tucker is likely to command a contract at least a decade long with a $300 million floor. 

Baltimore has never shopped in this high of a tier before, breaking nine figures only once to sign Chris Davis to his now-infamous $161 million deal. But this offseason also serves as a test for second-year owner David Rubenstein, who has twice said in the past nine months he has “no financial limit” when it comes to upgrading the roster. 

If the Orioles do get serious about spending, Tucker is a hitter worth moving other players around to fit onto the roster. His addition would shift Tyler O’Neill over to left field and cement Colton Cowser in center, a spot where Baltimore tested him out down the stretch. 

The outfield defense would suffer — Cowser has been much better in left — and an already lefty-heavy lineup skew even more in that direction, but would that matter if it meant sandwiching Tucker’s bat between Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg and Adley Rutschman at the top of the lineup? Probably not. 

Grade the fit: B- 

*DH Kyle Schwarber, 33

Another game-changing bat, Schwarber is one of the premiere power hitters in the sport. His 324 home runs since 2017 trails only Aaron Judge (364) and he’s developed a reputation as a veteran leader whose ample postseason experience would go a long way in the Orioles’ young clubhouse. If those were the only factors, he would be a perfect fit. 

However, Schwarber has played almost exclusively at designated hitter, and for good reason — he accumulated minus-34 defensive runs saved over his last two years as a regular in the outfield between 2022 and 2023. The Orioles are pretty clogged at DH, where catchers Rutschman and Samuel Basallo are expected to see ample time in addition to the injury-plagued O’Neill. He also still doesn’t solve their need for a right-handed hitter.

It would be nice to dream about Schwarber tattooing Eutaw Street with new home run plaques the next few years, but that’s about the only way he makes sense for Baltimore. 

Grade the fit: C- 

OF/1B Cody Bellinger, 30

If you’re sensing a trend of left-handed hitters, that’s because this year’s outfield market is almost exclusively filled with them. Bellinger returns to free agency after opting out of the final year of contract with the New York Yankees, with whom he hit .272 with 29 homers and an .813 OPS last season. The former National League Most Valuable Player Award winner will be seeking a long-term deal that will take him into his mid-to-late 30s.

Bellinger’s career has been something of a yo-yo, ricocheting between MVP-caliber seasons and below-average ones. He’s been a productive player each of the past three years with a steady on-base percentage, but signing him does come with some risk that he’ll crater back down again. 

Even so, Bellinger is a prolific hitter when at his best and he comes with the added bonus of playing strong defense at both center field and first base. He would be the perfectly shaped puzzle piece that fits into the Orioles’ first base/DH picture of Rutschman, Basallo and Coby Mayo while taking over at the club’s only true hole of center field.

Bellinger’s presence would allow Cowser to remain in left and provide insurance for the event O’Neill gets injured again, with rookie Dylan Beavers and glove-first outfielder Leody Taveras factoring into the mix. He also doesn’t have the qualifying offer attached, a significant factor for an organization that prizes draft capital like Baltimore.

If the Orioles are going to spend big on a bat, Bellinger might be their best option.

Grade the fit: A 

*CF Trent Grisham, 29

A year ago, Grishman’s value was entirely built around his defense in center field. Then he went out in 2025 and set career highs in home runs (34), RBIs (74) and OPS (.811) to earn a qualifying offer from the Yankees. Assuming he declines it, Grisham will present one of the more interesting cases in free agency as a player coming off his breakout season. 

The two-time Gold Glove Award winner would be an upgrade in center field, though advanced metrics didn’t love his 2025 season compared to years past. Still, a multi-year deal for Grisham would entrench Cowser in left and relegate Beavers to a fourth outfielder who spells O’Neill a couple of times a week. 

Yet another left-handed bat, Grisham had dramatic platoon splits last season (.869 OPS vs. righties, .652 vs. lefties) and his sprint speed has declined each of the past three years. His addition would carry more risk of negative value than even Bellinger, but Grisham’s cost is likely to be much lower and more in line with the Orioles’ history of spending. 

Grade the fit: B 

1B Pete Alonso, 31

Finally, a right-handed hitter! Alonso is one of the top bats on the market for the second winter in a row after settling for a one-year, $30 million deal with the New York Mets last offseason. He made good on that contract with an Alonso-esque year, launching 38 home runs and leading the NL with 41 doubles. 

Now, he’s back and looking for a long-term fix this time. The Orioles might not appear to be the best fit because of Mayo, one of their most recently graduated top prospects who’s under team control through 2031. Investing in Alonso would effectively block the corner infielder from ever seeing the field — and the aforementioned DH offers slim playing time. 

Mayo finished the season strong with an impressive .941 OPS in September, but he’s otherwise struggled to produce consistently thus far in his young MLB career. The Orioles found out in 2025 what could happen if they construct the majority of their lineup around young players they hope will take a step forward. Alonso is a proven power hitter, playoff performer and vocal leader. He checks a lot of boxes for Baltimore. 

Grade the fit: A- 

Other top free agent hitters 

• Is SS Bo Bichette, 29, willing to play second base? Just about the only way he fits in the Orioles’ lineup is if he shifts to second and Jackson Holliday tries his hand at the outfield.

• There’s no hole that UTIL Willi Castro, 28, can’t fill. The veteran utility man struggled with the Chicago Cubs after being traded at the deadline but was an above-average hitter for two and a half years for the Minnesota Twins before that. He could fill the Ramón Urías role while also offering more upside as an everyday player if injuries strike again.

• A reunion with OF Austin Hays, 30, could sense for the righty-depraved Orioles, who never quite filled the hole he left behind when they traded him in 2024. Hays was effective when healthy last season and might benefit from a prove-it, one-year deal.

• The same goes for OF Lane Thomas, 30, who struggled mightily for the Cleveland Guardians last year but has a history of crushing left-handed pitching.

• The top two hitters being posted by Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball this offseason are corner infielders in 3B/1B Munetaka Murakami, 26, and 3B/1B Kazuma Okamoto, 29. Murakami is younger and a more prolific power hitter while Okamoto plays better defense and strikes out much less. Both would likely play first in Baltimore.

Have a news tip? Contact Matt Weyrich at mweyrich@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/ByMattWeyrich and instagram.com/bymattweyrich. 

Perhaps. But to know what the Orioles need this offseason, it’s important to take inventory into what they already have.

Free agency began last week, and the free market is the easiest and best way for the Orioles to improve after a disappointing 75-87 campaign. More than $70 million has come off the payroll, and owner David Rubenstein said his ownership group is entering its second offseason without any “particular financial constraints.”

With the offseason underway and the winter meetings next month approaching, here is a look at what Baltimore’s 26-man roster would look like on opening day if the front office doesn’t make any moves.

(The following projection is based on players presently in the Orioles’ organization and does not consider those the organization could acquire.)

Starting pitchers (5): Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Dean Kremer, Tyler Wells, Grayson Rodriguez

Other options: Albert Suárez, Cade Povich, Brandon Young, Trey Gibson, Nestor German, Levi Wells

The first reaction to this rotation — without any additions this offseason, which are expected — is that it looks quite solid. Of course, that’s including the massive caveat that all of these pitchers are healthy. Assuming that would be unwise considering three of them (Bradish, Wells, Rodriguez) have undergone elbow surgery since 2024.

That’s a major reason the Orioles will likely make at least one addition to this group — and perhaps two or three. At his end-of-season news conference, president of baseball operations Mike Elias stated he wants to add a “front half of the rotation guy” to pair with Bradish and Rogers. Bradish returned healthy in 2025 as dominant as ever, while Rogers revived his career and transformed into a budding ace.

If the Orioles don’t add to this group, that gives Wells and Rodriguez — two key members of the 2023 rotation when Baltimore won 101 games — an opportunity to earn rotation spots, but health and durability remain major questions for both right-handers. Rodriguez could open the season in the bullpen or the minor leagues as he ramps up after missing all of 2025, while Wells’ past success as a reliever could make that an easy transition if the Orioles acquire better starting options this winter.

Suárez pitched the second most innings on the Orioles in 2024, while Povich and Young spent a large chunk of 2025 in Baltimore’s rotation. Suárez is far more likely to be in the bullpen given his experience in a swing role, while Povich and Young project to be in Triple-A, especially if the Orioles acquire more pitching this winter. Gibson, German and Wells are longer than long shots to crack the opening day roster, but the trio of intriguing prospects reached Triple-A last season and will push to reach the majors in 2026.

Relief pitchers (8): Andrew Kittredge, Keegan Akin, Yennier Cano, Dietrich Enns, Kade Strowd, Rico Garcia, Colin Selby, Albert Suárez

Other options: Tyler Wells, Grayson Rodriguez, Cade Povich, Chayce McDermott, Grant Wolfram, George Soriano, Anthony Nunez, Yaramil Hiraldo, Jose Espada

Injured: Félix Bautista

For the second time in three years, the Orioles will enter the offseason without a closer. After Bautista missed the 2024 season recovering from elbow surgery, he’s now slated to miss most (or all) of 2026 making his way back from shoulder surgery.

Two years ago, the Orioles signed veteran Craig Kimbrel to replace Bautista, a move that bore fruit in the first half that spoiled later in the season. Now, the Orioles enter the offseason without any legitimate closing options on the roster. Kittredge, whom the Orioles re-acquired from the Chicago Cubs in a surprising and savvy move, sits atop Baltimore’s bullpen and Wells also has closing experience, but signing one of the many closers on the market who can fill at least most of Bautista’s large shoes should be one of the front office’s biggest priorities.

The bullpen also parted ways with Bryan Baker, Seranthony Domínguez and Gregory Soto at the deadline, and it’s likely that multiple more bullpen moves will be made by the front office. In addition to Kittredge, Akin and Cano, the Orioles agreed to a one-year deal with a team option for 2027 with Enns, increasing the likelihood of the do-it-all lefty making the club. Strowd, Garcia and Selby impressed in post-deadline tryouts but could find themselves left out if the club adds more bullpen arms this winter. Suárez seems likely to occupy the long relief role in the bullpen, though it’s possible a different starting pitcher is moved into that spot.

Wells is the most likely starter to move to the bullpen, but Rodriguez and Povich could be intriguing relievers if the Orioles have too much starting pitching. McDermott is an option for the bullpen, too, after he excelled in a relief role in Triple-A to end 2025. Wolfram and Hiraldo had up-and-down stints with the Orioles last season. And Nunez, a pitching prospect the Orioles acquired in the Cedric Mullins trade, was added to the 40-man roster last week as protection from the Rule 5 draft after his dominant ascendance up the minor league ladder.

Catchers (3): Adley Rutschman, Samuel Basallo, Alex Jackson

Other options: Maverick Handley

Catcher is the most solidified — and perhaps the most important — position on the Orioles’ roster. If Rutschman gets back to the player he was in 2023 and Basallo tapes his expected leap, the Orioles could enjoy the best catching duo in baseball.

It’s not a guarantee the Orioles operate a three-catcher system and it’s also not a lock that Jackson is that third backstop, but both outcomes are likely. The Orioles could prefer a third catcher with minor league options and the ability to play other positions to provide flexibility, but Jackson performed well both at the plate and behind it in 2025.

Infielders (5): Coby Mayo, Jackson Holliday, Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, Luis Vázquez

Other options: Ryan Mountcastle, Ryan Noda

First base is the biggest unanswered question on the Orioles’ infield. Mountcastle has spent most of the past five seasons as the club’s primary first baseman, but he is entering his final year of arbitration, which MLB Trade Rumors projects will earn him a $7.8 million salary.

It’s unclear whether the Orioles will bring back Mountcastle at that price tag or choose to part ways with a slugger whose power has greatly diminished as he’s dealt with injuries and ailments the past three seasons. Mayo could be seen as Mountcastle’s replacement, but the 23-year-old hit only .217 with a .687 OPS last season, though he crushed the ball in September with a .301 average and .941 OPS.

The rest of the Orioles’ starting infield is locked in place with Holliday at second base, Westburg at third and Henderson at shortstop. The utility spot filled by Ramón Urías was taken over by Vázquez, a glove-first player with the capability to play all four infield spots.

Outfielders (5): Dylan Beavers, Colton Cowser, Tyler O’Neill, Leody Taveras, Jeremiah Jackson

Other options: Heston Kjerstad, Enrique Bradfield Jr., Pedro León

Outside of first base, the next biggest question is center field. Mullins had held down the key position since 2020, but the Orioles traded him to the New York Mets at the deadline. Cowser moved over to center and played well defensively, but he dealt with injuries and underperformance throughout the season. If the Orioles don’t make an offseason move for a center fielder, Cowser will likely open the season there, though Bradfield, one of the club’s top prospects, could push for an early season call-up thanks to his elite speed and defense.

In that scenario, Beavers and O’Neill would be expected to man the corners with Taveras, whom the Orioles signed last week, as the switch-hitting fourth outfielder who can play all three spots. If Taveras makes the roster, he could be a late-game substitute to pinch run and replace O’Neill in the outfield, moving over to center and shifting Cowser to a corner.

Jackson, who can also play third base, would remain an option in right field and designated hitter after his excellent tryout in the second half. It’s possible, though, that an Orioles addition would result in Jackson beginning the season in Triple-A. Another hitter expected to begin the year in Triple-A would be Kjerstad, who struggled mightily last season and missed the second half of the season with a bout of fatigue that the team hasn’t specified.

Have a news tip? Contact Jacob Calvin Meyer at jameyer@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/JCalvinMeyer.

Bourgeois, 43, spent the past two years as first base coach and outfield coach of the Chicago White Sox before parting ways with the organization at the end of the season. He was teammates with Orioles’ incoming manager Craig Albernaz at Triple-A Durham in 2013 and appeared in part of eight MLB seasons, stealing 54 bases in 317 games. 

The 2000 second-round pick of the Texas Rangers joins expected hitting coach Dustin Lind as the first known coaches to join Albernaz’s staff. Bourgeois replaces longtime first base coach Anthony Sanders, who departed the organization this offseason to join the Detroit Tigers in the same capacity after six years in Baltimore. 

Both Bourgeois and Lind had ties to Albernaz, whom the Orioles hired to help bounce back from a disappointing 75-87 campaign in 2025. 

After making his MLB debut in 2008, Bourgeois spent most of his playing career moving up and down between the majors and Triple-A. He played all outfield positions as a bench player, slashing .253/.300/.326 across stints with the White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds. 

Bourgeois retired from playing in 2019 and joined the Los Angeles Dodgers’ minor league coaching ranks, working his way up to minor league outfield and base running coordinator. He held that position for three years until the White Sox hired him to their major league staff under then-skipper Pedro Grifol. The White Sox kept him on for 2025 despite changing managers but parted ways with several coaches, including Bourgeois, after the club lost 100-plus games for the third straight season.

As the first base coach in Baltimore, Bourgeois will work frequently with shortstop Gunnar Henderson (30 stolen bases last season), second baseman Jackson Holliday (17) and outfielder Colton Cowser (14), among others, to get the most out of their base running. Cowser and top prospect Dylan Beavers will be among those whose defense in the outfield will be major points of emphasis for the team entering 2026.

The Baltimore Banner was first to report the Orioles were expected to hire Bourgeois. 

Have a news tip? Contact Matt Weyrich at mweyrich@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/ByMattWeyrich and instagram.com/bymattweyrich.

The Orioles are changing the titles and roles of six front office members, a source with direct knowledge of the moves confirmed to The Baltimore Sun on Saturday, including a promotion to assistant general manager and a new point man leading their MLB draft. 

Matt Blood, the Orioles’ vice president overseeing player development and domestic scouting since October 2023, is shifting to vice president of player and staff development. He will now be responsible for overseeing front office support of first-year manager Craig Albernaz, his staff and the sports medicine and performance departments. 

The Orioles are also promoting Brendan Fournie to assistant GM, adding a third person in that role under president of baseball operations Mike Elias alongside Sig Mejdal and Eve Rosenbaum. 

Fournie has overseen the Orioles’ baseball analytics department since December 2021, when he was hired away from the Houston Astros. In his new role, Fournie will focus on baseball economics, advanced scouting and salary arbitration while assisting with roster and transaction management. 

Baltimore still has a vacancy at GM since promoting Elias last spring. He has continued to oversee day-to-day GM duties in the meantime and said during his end-of-season news conference in September that a hire “may be this offseason, it may not be.” 

With Blood no longer overseeing the draft, that responsibility will now fall upon Will Robertson. The Orioles’ director of pro personnel is being promoted to vice president of domestic scouting. Robertson, a 30th-round draft pick of Baltimore in 2017, has been working his way up the Orioles’ front office since retiring from playing in 2020. 

The Orioles are also promoting three scouting managers to larger roles. Chad Tatum will be named assistant director of domestic scouting, Hendrik Herz will take over as assistant director of draft operations and Kevin Carter will be their assistant director of pro scouting. 

MASNSports.com was first to report the front offices changes. 

Have a news tip? Contact Matt Weyrich at mweyrich@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/ByMattWeyrich and instagram.com/bymattweyrich.

The Orioles are hiring Dustin Lind as hitting coach, a source with direct knowledge of the move confirmed to The Baltimore Sun on Friday. Lind was an assistant hitting coach with the Philadelphia Phillies the past two seasons and overlapped with Albernaz on the San Francisco Giants during his four-year stint as an assistant on their hitting staff. 

The 36-year-old is the first coach to be solidified onto Albernaz’s staff since Baltimore hired the first-year manager last month. The club already parted ways with its three hitting coaches — Cody Asche, Sherman Johnson and Tommy Joseph — as well as bench coach Robinson Chirinos and first base coach Anthony Sanders. Interim manager Tony Mansolino also departed Friday, joining the Atlanta Braves as third base coach.

Lind, who carries a reputation for preaching strong plate discipline, worked under Donnie Ecker in San Francisco and Kevin Long in Philadelphia — both of whom have won World Series titles as well-traveled coaches with hitting backgrounds. In replacing Asche as the Orioles’ lead hitting coach, he takes over for a coach he mentored in the minors. 

Lind never played professionally, carving out a college career at Montana State University-Billings and Idaho State University before getting into coaching. Lind was as an independent hitting consultant until 2018 when the Seattle Mariners hired him as their minor league quality assurance coach.

The Orioles ranked 24th in MLB with 677 runs scored last season after finishing among the league’s top seven each of the previous two years.

“If you watch the game of baseball, you have to have a diverse offense,” Albernaz said of his offensive philosophy at his introductory news conference Tuesday. “I think anyone would want any of their teams to go out and hit 10 home runs a night. You can sign me up for that. But like I said, it’s a hard game.

“We have to do the little things right. When guys are struggling or going through a little rut, you have to find a way to keep the line moving and be productive for your team and for the organization. That’s something we’re going to preach, about just being a more diverse offense, and so we’re going to have a number of ways to beat you.”

BaltimoreBaseball.com was first to report the news of Lind’s hire.

Around the horn

• The qualify offer deadline passed Friday and the Orioles didn’t extend the one-year, $22.025 million deal to any of their pending free agents, as expected. Infielder Jorge Mateo and outfielder Dylan Carlson joined right-hander Zach Eflin, catcher Gary Sánchez and right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano in electing free agency.

• Baltimore officially picked up its team option for the recently reacquired Andrew Kittredge on Friday, guaranteeing the veteran reliever $9 million for 2026. The club also added right-hander Anthony Nunez to its 40-man roster, protecting him from selection in the Rule 5 draft next month.

• The Orioles continued their busy Friday on the transaction wire by claiming outfielder Pedro León from Houston Astros and designating left-hander Josh Walker for assignment. They lost right-hander José Castillo on waivers to the New York Mets but outfielder Daniel Johnson and right-hander Shawn Dubin both cleared and were outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk.

Have a news tip? Contact Matt Weyrich at mweyrich@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/ByMattWeyrich and instagram.com/bymattweyrich.

The 2026 season will test how strong Holliday’s bond with his good boy truly is.

The Orioles on Thursday released their promotion schedule for the 2026 campaign, including a bobblehead of Holliday and Coconut on April 11 when Baltimore hosts the San Francisco Giants at Camden Yards.

The power of puppy love with Coconut was first proved in April when Holliday smashed a grand slam in a win over the Cleveland Guardians with the Bernedoodle in the stands alongside the second baseman’s wife, Chloe. Holliday said during the postgame interview on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network that he always plays well when Coconut is watching.

“Thanks, Coconut,” Holliday said with a smile, later joking that he hit the slam “just for Coconut, not the team.”

Coconut Holliday in uniform https://t.co/mTeDt2F7o3 pic.twitter.com/eLdZicxRrK

— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) April 17, 2025

Holliday’s bobblehead is one of 27 promotions the Orioles will have throughout their 81-game home slate in 2026, which now have start times. First pitch for opening day at Camden Yards on March 26 against the Minnesota Twins will be 3:05 p.m.

Other players to have bobbleheads are Samuel Basallo on May 23, Jordan Westburg as part of Star Wars weekend on May 30 and Gunnar Henderson on June 27. Westburg is one of several young Orioles players who is a fan of the Star Wars franchise. In 2025, Colton Cowser and Henderson each had Star Wars bobbleheads.

The uber-popular Hawaiian shirt giveaways will be on July 24 and 25 against the Atlanta Braves. After having only one Hawaiian shirt day in previous years, the Orioles doubled that in 2025 and next season will add a kids Hawaiian shirt day on July 26.

Other noteworthy giveaways include a Kyle Bradish jersey hoodie on March 28, an Orioles hockey jersey on April 25, an Orioles soccer jersey on June 13, a Pride Night jersey on June 26, a beach towel on June 28 and a floppy hat on July 10. New giveaways include a denim crab cap on May 1, hot dog race caps on July 11 and a Hispanic heritage jersey on Sept. 18.

Also new next season will be a fan choice giveaway on Sept. 19. The Orioles say fans will have the opportunity to select a giveaway for that day as part of Fan Appreciation Weekend.

Have a news tip? Contact Jacob Calvin Meyer at jameyer@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/JCalvinMeyer.

The Orioles have reached an agreement with outfielder Leody Taveras on a one-year, $2 million contract, a source with direct knowledge of the agreement confirmed to The Baltimore Sun on Thursday morning. The Orioles announced the signing Thursday night.

Taveras, 27, has six years of MLB experience after debuting at 21 years old with the Texas Rangers in 2020. The switch-hitter sports elite speed and defensive ability in the outfield, but he’s struggled at the plate with a career .236 batting average and .651 OPS. He elected free agency in October after spending most of the 2025 season in the minor leagues.

Taveras was an important part of the Rangers’ World Series run in 2023, which was by far his best season in the majors with a .266 average and a .733 OPS. The Rangers swept the Orioles in the American League Division Series that year.

After a slow start to the 2025 season, the Rangers designated him for assignment in May and Seattle Mariners did the same in June. In 58 games, Taveras hit .205 with a .530 OPS, though he performed much better for the Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate with a .280 average and an .804 OPS.

The signing adds outfield depth and several traits needed by the Orioles. Taveras is an elite defensive outfielder, which the Orioles need after a poor season with the gloves. He is also a primary center fielder who has some experience in the corners, and the Orioles need depth in center with the departure of Cedric Mullins, whom they traded away at the deadline.

Colton Cowser is expected to be the Orioles’ starting center fielder to begin 2026 unless the front office adds a starting-caliber center fielder. Taveras, who is out of minor league options, will likely serve as a fourth or fifth outfielder if he makes the team out of spring training. The Orioles could see Taveras, a former top prospect, as a reclamation project, hoping he can have a resurgence in Baltimore.

Around the horn

• Orioles prospects Enrique Bradfield Jr., Luis De León, Ethan Anderson and Tanner Smith were all selected to play in the Arizona Fall League’s All-Star Game. Outfielder Thomas Sosa will participate in the AFL’s Home Run Derby.

• The Orioles on Wednesday claimed right-handed reliever George Soriano off waivers from the Miami Marlins and designated outfielder Daniel Johnson for assignment. Soriano, 26, has a 5.95 ERA in 118 career MLB innings, though he pitched to a 2.32 ERA in Triple-A last season. Johnson was outrighted to Triple-A on Thursday.

• The San Diego Padres on Thursday exercised Ramón Laureano’s $6.5 million club option, according to multiple reports. The Orioles traded the outfielder at the deadline amid his resurgent season to the Padres alongside Ryan O’Hearn for a haul of six prospects.

Baltimore Sun reporter Matt Weyrich contributed to this article. Have a news tip? Contact Jacob Calvin Meyer at jameyer@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/JCalvinMeyer.

The Orioles’ president of baseball operations on Tuesday helped introduce Craig Albernaz as the ballclub’s new manager. A coaching staff still needs to be assembled, but the most important part of Elias’ offseason will begin Thursday.

At 5 p.m., MLB’s free agency will open. Coming off a disappointing 75-87 campaign, the Orioles are in need of significant upgrades this winter. With about 100 days until spring training begins, The Baltimore Sun’s Orioles beat reporters Jacob Calvin Meyer and Matt Weyrich answer the most pressing questions facing the team this offseason.

What is the most important roster hole the Orioles must address this offseason?

Meyer: There isn’t a wrong answer to this question. Want to say it’s the bullpen? That’s fair considering the team needs a closer and perhaps several other relievers. Want to say it’s adding an impact, veteran bat? That’s hard to argue with after the young core regressed in 2025. Want to say it’s adding to the starting rotation? Well, after how 2025 went, of course it is. The answer to this question is perhaps all three, but it’s the rotation that’s most important.

Kyle Gibson was the club’s No. 1 starter to begin 2023. Albert Suárez finished second in innings pitched in 2024. And the first half of 2025 was a disaster for the rotation. The rotation already has Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers. About $70 million in payroll came off the books. And there are ample options on the market. It is past time that the Orioles build a deep and dominant rotation that matches the goals the organization has, and that is more achievable this winter now than ever.

Weyrich: The Orioles have needs in both the rotation and lineup, but the lack of a shutdown reliever to anchor the back end of the bullpen is particularly glaring. Félix Bautista can’t be counted on for much in 2026 and what he gives them beyond next season is in doubt as well after undergoing his second major surgery in three years. Baltimore has been in the position before, signing Craig Kimbrel to be a stopgap closer while Bautista was recovering from Tommy John surgery. But the Orioles could stand to acquire a high-leverage reliever with multiple years of team control this time, giving them a boost in their playoff push for 2026 and security in case Bautista doesn’t return to form. 

Do you see the Orioles making a bigger splash in free agency or the trade market?

Meyer: This all depends on your definition of “splash.” By what most would consider a splash, Elias has made only one during his time as general manager: trading for ace Corbin Burnes before the 2024 season. But he’s yet to make one in free agency. Would a frustrated fan base appreciate Elias (and more so owner David Rubenstein) if they hand out a nine-figure contract to an ace or a power bat? Of course. But that alone isn’t a guarantee the Orioles will bounce back in 2026. Instead, the offseason should be judged by the totality of what the front office does. What’s more important than making splashes is acquiring players who definitively bolster the ballclub, rather than marginal moves around the edges like last offseason.

Weyrich: The Orioles have the means to spend this offseason after clearing their payroll of several high-priced veterans including Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano and Gary Sánchez. However, they’ve also restocked their farm system after acquiring 16 prospects at the trade deadline and making seven top-100 picks in this year’s MLB draft. While I do expect them to spend this winter to address their myriad roster holes, I think it’s more likely that money is spread around. The biggest move they make will probably be for a starting pitcher and the trade market is ripe with potential front-line options including Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta, Sonny Gray, MacKenzie Gore, Joe Ryan and Mitch Keller.

Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is rumored to be available. How aggressive of an offer should the Orioles make Detroit?

Meyer: There is no reason for the Orioles to be anything other than aggressive in pursuit of Skubal, who would instantly give the Orioles one of the best rotations in baseball. But the Orioles’ offer almost certainly won’t be enough. Perhaps no team will meet the Tigers’ asking price and the soon-to-be back-to-back American League Cy Young will remain in Detroit. Baltimore’s farm system has depth, but (assuming Jackson Holliday and Samuel Basallo are untouchable) it lacks the type of elite prospect required to acquire a pitcher like Skubal. The Orioles must try, but the odds of them overpaying enough to convince Detroit to give up Skubal is unlikely.

Weyrich: Just as Burnes was acquired with the understanding he was going to test free agency, Skubal — a fellow Scott Boras client — would be a pure rental as well. The left-hander has been the best starting pitcher in the sport over the past two seasons and he stands to cash in next winter as a candidate to sign the largest contract ever for a pitcher. If Jackson Holliday and Samuel Basallo are untouchable, the Orioles’ best offer would likely have to include Dylan Beavers, Trey Gibson and one or two of their first-round picks from the past few drafts. Perhaps Coby Mayo as well. Even that might not be enough, but the Orioles should be willing to part with just about anyone in their farm system if it means adding Skubal to the front end of their rotation. 

After trading for Andrew Kittredge, how many more relievers will the Orioles acquire this offseason to rebuild their bullpen?

Meyer: One or two more than the math suggests. After the Kittredge trade — and, worth noting, what a combination of deals by Elias — the math might show the Orioles need two more relievers. It would be prudent to go overboard and get three or four instead. Injuries, especially to the pitching staff, have destroyed the Orioles over the past two seasons. It would be better to have a bullpen so deep that results in Rico Garcia not making the team and Kade Strowd in the minor leagues rather than opening the season with those two intriguing relievers in the bullpen. Furthermore, Elias’ track record of signing relievers isn’t great, but the sample isn’t large. The best way to improve that is to take more shots.

Weyrich: Elias made a savvy series of moves to get Kittredge into his bullpen for 2026, ensuring that he enters free agency with a dependable setup man around which he can start shaping the Orioles’ late-inning assignments. He’ll need at least two more to prevent the unit from being a liability and that’s how many I see the team acquiring this winter. In addition to Kittredge, the Orioles also have Yennier Cano, Keegan Akin and Dietrich Enns as likely candidates to crack the opening day bullpen. Should they add a closer and another setup man, that would leave them with two open slots — one for the likes of Garcia, Strowd and others to battle for and one for the starter who gets bumped from the rotation because of their offseason moves (read: Tyler Wells or Grayson Rodriguez). 

What under-the-radar free agents or trade targets should Orioles fans keep an eye on?

Meyer: This doesn’t count as “under-the-radar,” but this is just a roundtable about a silly game, so let’s break the rules. At the 2024 trade deadline, I predicted the Orioles would trade for Tampa Bay Rays starter Zach Eflin — and that they did. It would be smart for me to quit while I’m ahead, but what’s the fun in that? Here’s another prediction (based purely on conjecture): The Orioles will trade for Milwaukee Brewers starter Freddy Peralta. Baltimore needs another front-of-the-rotation starter to pair with Bradish and Rogers. Peralta has been one of the best and most consistent and durable pitchers in baseball over the past five seasons with a 3.30 ERA and 30-plus starts in three straight campaigns. Elias now has the prospect depth to be able to line up a deal like this. The Brewers have proven they have little issue making trades like this after they did so with Burnes. And the Orioles and Brewers front offices share similar philosophies and views of minor league talent, perhaps making it easier to find middle ground.

Weyrich: Center field is another key area the Orioles need to address this offseason after trading Cedric Mullins at the deadline. Colton Cowser could still be their everyday center fielder of the future, but he still showed some room to grow at the position and his injury history makes it difficult to bank on him playing 150 games there in 2026. Two free agents who could be a solid fit for Baltimore at the position are Harrison Bader and Trent Grisham. Bader would be the choice if defense is the priority, grading out as a plus defender with fantastic range who could help take the load off both Cowser and Tyler O’Neill in the corners. Grisham is more league average in center but is coming off a career year at the plate with 34 home runs and an .811 OPS. 

After ranking 15th at $162 million last year, where will the Orioles rank in 2026 opening day payroll?

Meyer: 15th

Weyrich: 11th

Who will sign Kyle Tucker and for how much?

Meyer: New York Yankees — 12 years, $360 million

Weyrich: Los Angeles Dodgers — 12 years, $325 million

Who will sign Framber Valdez and for how much?

Meyer: New York Mets — 7 years, $210 million

Weyrich: Philadelphia Phillies — 7 years, $235 million

Have a news tip? Contact Jacob Calvin Meyer at jameyer@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/JCalvinMeyer and Matt Weyrich at mweyrich@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/ByMattWeyrich.

Seated a few feet from Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias as the team introduced new manager Craig Albernaz, the club’s owner again said Baltimore has “no particular financial constraints,” as MLB free agency begins this week.

Rubenstein boastfully added that Baltimore’s ownership is compiled of “an investor group that’s pretty deep-pocketed.”

“We are relying on what Mike and his team can do to find good players that want to be here and that can complement what we already have,” he said.

Take note how he said good players, not the best players.

Reading between the lines, his word choice of complement also tells us where this winter is headed.

Rubenstein continues to say that the Orioles are capable of operating like a big-market club, but his framing suggests another offseason aimed at targeted additions rather than top-tier spending and the type of acquisitions that alter a competitive window.

Sorry to break it to you, Birdland. But perhaps it’s best you lower your expectations as free agency opens Thursday.

Rubenstein, unsolicited, pointed to the Toronto Blue Jays as direct evidence that turnarounds can happen quickly. Toronto went from last place in the AL East in 2024 to clinching an AL pennant, and stretching their intense World Series appearance against Los Angeles to seven games.

“You can come back from the bottom and we expect to do that,” Rubenstein said.

Notably, the Blue Jays also ranked among the top five payrolls in MLB this season.

Is Rubenstein, who according to Forbes is worth $4.4 billion, and his peers willing to fork up that type of money?

For the first time in his tenure, Elias had real spending power last winter, when the Orioles signed seven free agents for a combined $105.25 million: outfielders Tyler O’Neill and Ramon Laureano, pitchers Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano and Kyle Gibson, reliever Andrew Kittredge and catcher Gary Sanchez.

Elias finally had the ability to run to the grocery store and shop in a different aisle, but the collective return from his free agency cart was awful.

There won’t be any returns for his regrettable purchases, either.

It was a no-brainer for O’Neill, who signed the largest and longest deal of any Orioles free agent since Elias took over in 2018, to recently opt into the final two years ($33 million) of his contract after he hit .199 over just 54 games in 2025. O’Neill was one of many Orioles affected by injuries, and Rubenstein is banking on the injury bug staying far away from the Orioles next season.

When Rubenstein referenced the Blue Jays, he also mentioned the Dodgers and how competitive the World Series matchup was and noted that Game 7 drew record-breaking viewership.

Well, Toronto jumped to the top-tier of payroll spending this season, while Los Angeles has boasted a top-three payroll in baseball two years in a row — and has back-to-back World Series trophies to show for it. Both clubs also have multiple superstars.

Let’s make it clear: Baltimore does not need to replicate those types of payrolls.

But ownership cannot point to those clubs as models and also tout yourself as a big spender without matching the action. Rubenstein, ultimately, has shown he wants to live somewhere in between; Baltimore ranked 15th in MLB in payroll this season.

Just look at the club’s new managerial choice.

Albernaz is rooted from two organizations, Tampa Bay and Cleveland, who’ve routinely done more with less, operating within a budget that looks more like Baltimore’s and less like Los Angeles’ and Toronto’s.

The Orioles, of course, boast a talented core, headlined by Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg, Samuel Basallo and others. And to his credit, Albernaz appears to already understand the assignment.

“Whatever Mike wants to cook up,” Albernaz replied when asked what he’d like to see Elias add in the offseason. “That’s what Mike does best around the offseason is cook. … I trust Mike. I trust in the group.

“I’m not going to talk about who [Elias] should get. That’s not my job. That’s Mike’s job. … My job is the players in the clubhouse, so whoever’s in there, we’re going to pour into them, get the most out of them.”

Albernaz’s No. 1 goal is to maximize what already exists in Baltimore and revive a team that entered this past season with late-October aspirations. The roster, though, still needs help, and the Rubenstein-Elias duo needs to decide how lucrative and bold that assistance will be.

It’s shaping up to be one of the most important offseasons in franchise history and certainly in the Elias era.

The Orioles, though, do not — and likely will not — need to chase the biggest, most expensive names on the board. Stop dreaming about the likes of Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker slipping on a shiny new Orioles jersey.

Said Rubenstein: “We don’t feel we need to break records by setting payroll records.”

Rubenstein acknowledged that Elias already has been hard at work scouring through “good players.” That group should include a handful of smart additions who raise the team’s ceiling and, as Albernaz alluded to, help add meaningful ingredients to the team’s current recipe, widely consisting of homegrown talent.

Rubenstein and the Orioles say they boast deep pockets and can operate like a contender. Thus far, they haven’t properly spent nor flexed like one.

Elias’ decisions in the coming weeks and months will tell us exactly how they intend to compete.

Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. 

MLB will be working around the WBC, scheduled for March 5-17, this spring. The Orioles don’t currently have any players who have committed to playing in the tournament, but they’re planning for any participating pitchers and catchers to report to their spring training complex in Sarasota, Florida, on Feb. 9 and position players on Feb. 12. 

Their full contingent of pitchers and catchers will report Feb. 11, and the rest of their position players will follow Feb. 16. 

Baltimore will open Grapefruit League play at its home ballpark of Ed Smith Stadium on Feb. 20 against the New York Yankees. The exhibition game against Team Netherlands is scheduled for March 3, and the third annual spring breakout prospect showcase is set for March 19 against the Red Sox. The club hasn’t yet announced any game times.

To conclude their preseason, the Orioles will return up the East Coast for a home-and-home series against the Nationals — the first in what will be an annual event between the two regional neighbors as part of a five-year deal reached last spring. The Orioles will host Washington at Camden Yards on March 22 and play at Nationals Park on March 23. 

Baltimore begins the regular season March 26 at home against the Minnesota Twins. 

Have a news tip? Contact Matt Weyrich at mweyrich@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/ByMattWeyrich and instagram.com/bymattweyrich.