After a frustrating 2025 campaign, Orioles GM Mike Elias made it clear this offseason wasn’t going to be about standing pat and hoping for a bounce-back. Instead, he’s gone on the offensive-making a trio of bold, franchise-shaping moves that signal a serious shift in Baltimore’s trajectory.
Let’s start with the headliner: Pete Alonso is now an Oriole. That’s not a move you make unless you’re looking to make noise now.
Alonso, one of the game’s most feared power hitters, brings instant thump to the middle of the lineup. The Orioles have been building around a young core for a few years, but adding a proven slugger like Alonso is a statement.
It says this team isn’t just hoping to compete-they’re planning on it.
Then there’s the trade for Shane Baz. Baz is the kind of arm that can change the shape of a rotation when healthy.
He’s got electric stuff, and while there’s always some risk with young pitchers, the upside here is undeniable. It’s a bet on talent, and it could pay off in a big way if Baz can stay on the mound and deliver the kind of performances he’s flashed in the past.
On the flip side, Elias made the tough call to trade Grayson Rodriguez. That’s not a move you make lightly-Rodriguez was one of the crown jewels of the Orioles’ pitching pipeline. But sometimes, you have to give up talent to get talent, and this front office clearly believes the pieces they brought in are better fits for where the team is headed.
And it’s not just the roster that’s getting a facelift. After an offense that sputtered far too often last season, the Orioles are bringing in a new group of hitting coaches.
It’s a necessary reset, aimed at getting more out of a lineup that underperformed in 2025. Sometimes a fresh voice in the batting cage can make all the difference, especially with young hitters still finding their stride.
Off the field, Oriole Park at Camden Yards is also getting some overdue upgrades to its audio and visual systems. It’s the kind of change that might not show up in the box score, but it speaks to a broader commitment to improving the fan experience-and making the ballpark feel as modern as the team that plays there.
And if you’re looking for reasons to feel optimistic, don’t forget about Gunnar Henderson and Colton Cowser. Both dealt with nagging, under-the-radar injuries throughout 2025-issues that may have played a bigger role in their struggles than we realized at the time. If they’re healthy and back to form, that’s like adding two impact players without making a single move.
So yeah, there’s a lot to be intrigued by heading into 2026. A new slugger in the heart of the lineup.
A potential ace added to the rotation. A revamped coaching staff and a refreshed ballpark.
The Orioles aren’t just hoping for improvement-they’re actively engineering it.
The question now is: how far can this team go? One thing’s for sure-this version of the Orioles looks a whole lot different than the one we saw last year. And that’s exactly what needed to happen.