Mike Elias doesn’t need to reinvent himself to keep doing what he’s been doing in Baltimore. That’s the problem.
The Orioles’ front office has spent years leaning into the same cautious, marginal, ultra-conservative approach, and nothing about the current setup suggests a sudden change in philosophy. Even the switch to a new fake "GM" doesn’t alter the basic formula. But if there’s one move that should force a different kind of aggression, it’s this: go get Ketel Marte.
Marte is the kind of player who should make Baltimore sit up and pay attention. He’s the best second baseman in MLB, he’s on his existing contract, and he fits the Orioles’ needs almost too neatly.
He could step in immediately at second base and give the roster a major upgrade. Arizona, meanwhile, has a clear need for left-handed bats who handle righties well, and the Diamondbacks also need a starting second baseman if Marte is moved.
On top of that, they’re trying to shed payroll, which makes younger talent attractive.
This is the kind of deal that should get serious fast.
If Baltimore really wants to push, the package starts with Jackson Holliday and Colton Cowser, two young left-handed bats with upside who were elite prospects not long ago. The idea would also include a top prospect or two.
Marte’s age - he just turned 33 - and the concerns that have followed him, including going AWOL on the team last year and questions about his attitude, could make the price more manageable. Even so, the industry sees this as a real trade fit.
There’s also the simple baseball case. Marte would give the Orioles a switch hitter with balance, power and on-base skill in a lineup that leans too heavily right-handed in the infield.
He’s an above average defender who understands the game, was once viewed as someone who could play beyond second base, and he’s strong on double plays. His range isn’t what it used to be, but the overall defensive profile remains positive.
If needed, he can slide into DH duty because he sluggs enough to justify it.
The numbers back up the appeal. From 2024-2026 among MLB second basemen, Marte ranks first in WAR at 15.6, first in wRC+ at 133, first in RBI with 243 and first in slugging at .500.
He’s second in home runs with 86 and second in OBP at .353. He also ranks fifth in walk rate at 10.2 percent and ninth in strikeout rate at 15.6 percent, with a .274 average that ranks seventh.
That walk-and-strikeout profile is exactly the kind of thing Baltimore has been missing.
The fit gets even more interesting because of the people already in the picture. Marte would have to agree to come to Baltimore as a 10/5 guy, but the ballpark should appeal to him, and Pete Alonso could protect him in the lineup. If Elias keeps Gunnar Henderson - though the suggestion here is that Gunnar should be traded for a starting centerfielder - then the top of the order starts to look far more dangerous than it has under Elias before.
There are still complications, of course. Marte’s situation in Arizona hasn’t been clean, and the Orioles would need to sell him on the move.
But that shouldn’t stop them from digging in. Alonso is supposed to be the leader in this setup, and he dealt with plenty of drama with the Mets.
He could help Marte buy in.
The financial side also fits the way this ownership group thinks. A deal like this could be framed around a relatively modest $9 million this season with $3 million deferred, then $20 million in 2028, $22 million in 2029, $22 million in 2030, and a player option worth $11.5 million in 2031. For a club run like a long-term investment, that kind of structure matters.
And if Baltimore is serious about trying to win something meaningful while Alonso is still at his peak, this is the sort of move that fits the timeline. 2026 was already likely to be the best year with The Polar Bear. The question is whether Elias is willing to act before the window starts closing.
If Arizona prefers Jordan Westburg, that’s another path, with Cowser attached as well. Westburg is another Scott Boras guy and, as noted, he’s not expected to sign an extension in Baltimore either. Health is another issue there, too, given the Orioles’ medical team.
The Orioles also have enough starting-pitching lottery tickets in the minors to move one if needed. And if the Diamondbacks are interested in Ike Irish or Vance Honeycutt after seeing them in the Ariona Fall League, Baltimore can work with that as well.
There’s enough talent in the organization at the major league level and in Double-A or above to make a Marte deal without creating a major hole. The only real question is whether Elias is willing to show some guts and actually do it.
In Other News...
Orioles Free Agency Plan Looks Clearer Than Fans May Want
With Pete Alonso now in the fold, the Orioles offseason picture is getting a little sharper, and maybe a little less ambitious than some fans would prefer. The next priorities still point to the outfield and the starting rotation, but the way Baltimore has operated under this front office suggests the club is more likely to shop for value than chase the biggest names on the market. That makes the free-agent board easier to read, even if it does not make it more exciting.
Among the pitchers being discussed as realistic fits are David Peterson, Nick Martinez and Patrick Sandoval, all of whom bring different kinds of appeal without pushing the Orioles into a bidding war. The outfield market looks similar, with two targets standing out as plausible additions if Baltimore sticks to its usual budget-minded approach. It is the kind of plan that can fill needs, but it also leaves open the question of whether the Orioles will do enough to match the expectations that come with a roster built to contend. [Read more 🡒]
Orioles Keep Getting Linked To The Kind Of Move Fans Dread
The Orioles are still shopping for starting pitching, and the names surfacing fit a familiar winter pattern for fans who would rather see a younger, higher-upside arm in the mix. Baltimore has shown interest in free agents Nick Martinez and Matthew Boyd, two veteran left- and right-handed options in their mid-30s who could help either in the rotation or as flexible bullpen pieces.
Martinez and Boyd each bring a different kind of appeal, from recent performance to the ability to cover multiple roles, but both also come with the sort of age and injury questions that make this market feel less than ideal. For a club trying to bolster its staff without overcommitting, the Orioles seem to be circling the kind of move that can stabilize a team in the short term while leaving plenty of debate about whether it is the right long-term answer. [Read more 🡒]
Orioles Fans Have A New Reason To Watch Vance Honeycutt Closely
The Arizona Fall League handed out its annual awards this week, and for Orioles fans, Vance Honeycutt came away with a notable honor after being named Defensive Player of the Year. The recognition adds another layer of intrigue around one of Baltimores more closely watched young players, especially at a time when the organization is always looking for prospects who can impact the game in more than one way.
The AFLs award list also spotlighted a handful of other standouts from the season, with Welbyn Francisca taking MVP, Tai Peete earning Offensive Player of the Year and Jack ODowd being named Breakout Player of the Year. Kenya Huggins was selected as Reliever of the Year, Teo Banks received the Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award and Maddox Long won the leagues new Community Champion Award, but Honeycutts defensive recognition is the one that will keep Baltimore followers paying attention. [Read more 🡒]