The Baltimore Orioles have been one of the more aggressive teams this offseason, and there’s no question they’ve made some bold moves. Landing Pete Alonso was a headline-grabber - a legitimate middle-of-the-order bat who brings both power and presence. But not every move has hit the same high note, and when you stack Baltimore’s decisions against what other clubs have done, it’s fair to wonder if the Orioles left better options on the table.
Let’s take a closer look at two key opportunities that Baltimore could end up regretting - not because they stood pat, but because they might’ve chosen the wrong path.
1. Signing Michael King Instead of Trading for Shane Baz
Baltimore’s front office, led by Mike Elias, has historically been cautious with free-agent pitching - especially when it comes to long-term deals. That approach has its merits, but sometimes it can lead to missed opportunities, and this winter, Michael King might be one of them.
King signed a three-year, $75 million deal to stay with the Padres - a contract that’s flexible and team-friendly in structure. With opt-outs after both 2026 and 2027, the deal could end up being just a one- or two-year commitment, depending on performance.
That kind of structure gives clubs some protection while still paying the pitcher like a frontline starter. For a team like Baltimore, which needs exactly that - a top-end arm to solidify the rotation - it’s the kind of deal that makes a lot of sense.
Instead, the Orioles opted to trade for Shane Baz, a talented but still unproven arm who posted a 4.87 ERA last season. Baz certainly has upside, but he also comes with question marks - and acquiring him meant giving up prospect capital to a division rival. That’s a tough pill to swallow when a pitcher like King was available for just money.
And here’s the kicker: signing King wouldn’t have precluded the Orioles from also going after Baz. They could’ve added both, deepening the rotation and giving themselves more margin for error. But if Baz ends up being the only notable addition to the starting staff, Baltimore could be putting too much weight on a risky bet.
The market isn’t getting cheaper, either. If the Orioles pivot to someone like Ranger Suárez or Framber Valdez, they’ll likely have to commit more years and dollars than they would’ve needed for King - and that’s assuming those pitchers are even available or interested. In hindsight, King was a cleaner, safer solution to a very real need.
2. Opting for Ryan Helsley Over Kenley Jansen or Robert Suarez
The Orioles also made a splash in the bullpen, bringing in Ryan Helsley on a two-year, $28 million deal. On paper, Helsley brings heat and upside - but this signing comes with some real risk.
Helsley’s 2025 season was solid, but not dominant. His ERA rose to 3.00 with the Cardinals, up nearly a full run from his 2.04 mark in 2024.
Then came the trade to the Mets, where pitch-tipping issues further clouded his performance. The Orioles are clearly betting that those problems are fixable, but they’re paying a premium to find out.
That price tag looks even steeper when you compare it to what other top relievers signed for. Robert Suarez - widely viewed as the second-best closer on the market behind Edwin Díaz - landed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Braves.
That’s just one more year and $1 million more annually than what Helsley got. And right now, Suarez arguably offers more stability and upside.
Then there’s Kenley Jansen. The veteran closer signed a one-year, $9 million deal with a $12 million club option for 2027, including a $2 million buyout.
Sure, Jansen is 38 and not quite the force he once was, but he brings playoff experience, leadership, and a level of consistency that would’ve been valuable in Baltimore’s young clubhouse. And at that price?
That’s the kind of low-risk, high-reward signing that keeps payroll flexibility intact.
Instead, the Orioles went with a higher-variance option in Helsley - a move that could pay off, but also could backfire if his command or mechanics don’t bounce back.
The Bigger Picture: Boom or Bust?
There’s no denying the Orioles are trying to take the next step. They’ve got a young core, a real shot at contending, and a front office that isn’t afraid to shake things up. But some of these offseason decisions feel like calculated gambles rather than steady progressions.
Trading for Baz instead of signing King. Betting on Helsley over more proven, cost-effective bullpen arms. These aren’t necessarily bad moves in isolation - but they do lean heavily into the high-risk, high-reward category.
If Baz becomes a frontline starter and Helsley returns to dominant form, the Orioles will look like geniuses. But if those bets don’t hit, they could find themselves scrambling midseason - either overpaying to patch holes or watching a promising roster fall short.
The margin for error in the AL East is razor-thin. Baltimore’s offseason isn’t over, but so far, it’s been a mix of bold swings and missed opportunities.