The Baltimore Orioles are entering this offseason with a clear mission: bounce back and contend. After a rough 2025 campaign-one that saw them drop 18 of their first 30 games and ultimately miss the playoffs-the front office isn’t sitting still. They’ve already made some noise, and if the early moves are any indication, Baltimore is aiming to retool, not rebuild.
Let’s start with the lineup. The Orioles addressed a glaring need in the heart of the order by landing slugger Pete Alonso.
That’s a big swing-literally and figuratively. Alonso brings serious power to a lineup that needed more thump, and his presence in the middle of the order instantly gives Baltimore a more dangerous offensive profile.
But they didn’t stop there. They also acquired left fielder Taylor Ward from the Angels in exchange for right-hander Grayson Rodriguez.
That deal raised some eyebrows-Rodriguez was viewed as a foundational piece in the rotation-but it’s clear the Orioles are betting on Ward’s bat and versatility to help balance the lineup.
Now, the focus shifts to the rotation, where the loss of Corbin Burnes to the Diamondbacks has left a significant hole at the top. There’s no sugarcoating it: Baltimore needs an ace. And while there’s chatter about free agent right-hander Michael King-who’s reportedly considering the Orioles alongside AL East rivals Boston and New York-the trade market might offer the most intriguing path forward.
Enter Freddy Peralta.
The Milwaukee Brewers right-hander is generating buzz, and for good reason. He’s coming off a season where he posted a 2.79 ERA over 33 starts and has logged 165+ innings in three straight years.
That kind of consistency and durability is exactly what Baltimore’s rotation needs. And at $8 million for next season, Peralta is not just effective-he’s cost-controlled, which makes him even more valuable in today’s market.
Whether the Brewers are actually willing to move the two-time All-Star remains to be seen. But if they are, the Orioles should be at the front of the line. As long as the asking price doesn’t gut the farm system, Peralta could be the kind of difference-maker that shifts the balance in the AL East.
Baltimore has the prospect capital to make something happen. Two of their top 100 prospects-Samuel Basallo and Dylan Beavers-could theoretically headline a deal, though Basallo just inked an eight-year extension in August, which likely takes him off the table. That limits the Orioles’ flexibility a bit, but they still have enough depth in the system to put together a compelling offer.
Bottom line: the Orioles are in go-mode. The offense is getting reinforcements, but the rotation still needs a leader.
Freddy Peralta checks a lot of boxes-ace-level stuff, playoff experience, and a team-friendly contract. If Baltimore wants to make a serious push in 2026, this is exactly the kind of arm that could anchor a postseason run.