The Orioles have been anything but quiet this offseason, and while some of the biggest free agents have already found new homes - including Ranger Suárez, Kyle Tucker, and Bo Bichette - there’s still one name looming large on Baltimore’s radar: Framber Valdez. The left-hander is arguably the top starting pitcher left on the market, and with the Orioles already making some bold moves, fans are hoping president of baseball operations Mike Elias has one more splash in him.
Elias has been aggressive this winter, landing slugging first baseman Pete Alonso and All-Star closer Ryan Helsley. He’s also brought back righty Zach Eflin and speedy outfielder Leody Taveras to shore up the roster’s depth. And in a bit of a surprise, the O’s reunited with Andrew Kittredge, a reliable late-inning arm who adds even more stability to the bullpen.
But the real jolt came from two blockbuster trades. The Orioles shipped out young right-hander Grayson Rodriguez in a deal for power-hitting outfielder Taylor Ward, and they parted with four of their Top 30 prospects to acquire starter Shane Baz. Those are the kinds of moves that signal a front office going all-in - not just for the future, but for right now.
And yet, Elias wasn’t done. Thursday brought another wave of action, this time on the international front.
Baltimore signed 10 players, five of whom - shortstop Jose Luis Acevedo (ranked 14th), outfielders Ariel Roque (18th) and Pedro Gomez (35th), lefty Andri Hidalgo (25th), and outfielder/first baseman Gabriel Rosario (41st) - were ranked among MLB Pipeline’s top 50 international prospects. The Orioles spent $6.85 million of their $8.03 million international bonus pool on those five, a clear sign that the pipeline is still flowing strong, even after sending out a chunk of their top minor league talent in the Baz deal.
Now, for fans eager to see the next wave of talent - or just get a look at the revamped roster - there’s good news on the broadcast front. MASN will televise 20 Orioles spring training games this year, the most ever from Florida.
That’s a major upgrade for fans who’ve long been frustrated by the lack of spring coverage. With the Orioles now holding more autonomy over their broadcast schedule - thanks to the end of parity requirements with the Nationals - they’re finally able to give fans what they’ve been asking for.
And that’s not the only roster news. Baltimore made a few more under-the-radar moves, signing catcher Sam Huff to a minor league deal and claiming lefty José Suárez off waivers from the Braves. Earlier this month, the O’s also claimed utilityman Marco Luciano and slugger Jhonkensy Noel - though Luciano was waived to make room for Suárez, and Noel cleared waivers, meaning he’ll report to camp as a non-roster invitee.
Huff will also be in camp on a minor league deal, joining a growing group of depth pieces with big-league experience. Outfielder Will Robertson, catcher Maverick Handley, first baseman/outfielder Ryan Noda, utility infielder Luis Vázquez, and lefty Josh Walker are all expected in Sarasota. So is Albert Suárez, who was non-tendered earlier in the offseason but re-signed on a minor league deal.
Even as many of the top position player free agents have signed, the starting pitching market still has some big names in play. Valdez leads the pack, but he’s joined by Zac Gallen, Chris Bassitt, Lucas Giolito, Zack Littell, and two future Hall of Famers in Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. If the Orioles are serious about contending deep into October, adding one of those arms could be the final piece.
A few familiar faces are still looking for new homes as well. Former Orioles like Austin Hays, Ramón Urías, Jorge Mateo, Gary Sánchez, Seranthony Domínguez, and Japanese right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano remain unsigned. There was some buzz about Domínguez and the Twins, but as of now, it looks unlikely that any of those players will be joining the O’s in Sarasota.
Looking ahead, the team’s annual Birdland Caravan is set for next weekend, with a Q&A session at Baltimore’s historic Senator Theatre featuring new manager Craig Albernaz and slugger Pete Alonso. And the promotions calendar is already turning heads - a Tupac bobblehead giveaway is scheduled for May 8, and Alonso gets the bobblehead treatment on August 22.
But for many fans, the real highlight might be the return of Bark at the Park, set for April 11 and May 27. Because nothing says baseball season like dogs in the stands and a roster that’s ready to make noise.