Orioles' Offseason Moves: The Departures That Matter-and the One That Might Sting
Every offseason comes with its share of tough decisions. For the Baltimore Orioles, the winter of 2025-26 was no exception.
In the pursuit of building a roster capable of making a deep postseason run, the front office made a flurry of moves-some expected, some surprising. Four players walked in free agency, and nine others, including prospects, were dealt in trades.
That’s the nature of the business: to get real value, you’ve often got to give something up.
But not all departures are created equal. Some players leave and barely cause a ripple.
Others? They might just come back to haunt you.
Let’s break down two moves the Orioles likely won’t lose sleep over-and one that could linger in the back of their minds all season long.
Won’t Miss: Caden Bodine
Caden Bodine was always more of a trade chip than a long-term plan. Drafted in the first round out of college, Bodine brought a polished glove behind the plate and a reputation as a high-floor, low-risk prospect.
But the Orioles weren’t exactly desperate for catching help when they took him. In fact, they extended Samuel Basallo just weeks after drafting Bodine-pretty much signaling that the long-term catching core was already in place.
Bodine’s defensive skills should carry him to the majors in the next couple of years, and he’ll probably carve out a solid career. But his bat doesn’t scream impact player, and in a system flush with catching talent, he was expendable.
Now with the Rays, Bodine may develop into a reliable backstop, but the Orioles were never betting on him to be a cornerstone. They drafted value at a premium position and flipped it for help elsewhere.
That’s smart roster management.
Won’t Miss: Alex Jackson
Alex Jackson brought some pop to the 2025 Orioles lineup, with an all-or-nothing offensive approach that made him a fun watch when he connected. But his stay in Baltimore was always going to be short-lived.
The Orioles moved him for a 26-year-old minor league infielder, and at first glance, that might’ve felt like a head-scratcher. Then you look at the roster construction, and it starts to make more sense.
With Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo locked in as the primary catchers, Jackson became the odd man out. Maverick Handley, while not as talented, has minor league options remaining-something Jackson doesn’t.
That flexibility matters over a 162-game grind. The Orioles couldn’t afford to carry three catchers on the active roster, and Jackson’s lack of options meant he couldn’t be stashed in Triple-A without risking a waiver claim.
Jackson might be a better pure hitter than Handley, but roster versatility and depth control won out. Baltimore got what they could before losing him for nothing. That’s a move you can live with.
Might Miss: Kade Strowd
Now this one could hurt.
Kade Strowd wasn’t just another bullpen arm. He was shaping up to be a potential late-inning weapon for a team that, let’s be honest, didn’t have many of those in 2025. The Orioles’ bullpen was already a soft spot, and removing Strowd from that equation only adds to the concern heading into 2026.
Strowd’s underlying metrics were eye-popping. By Stuff+-a stat that evaluates the quality of a pitcher’s arsenal-he had the best fastball, slider, and cutter on the entire Orioles staff last season.
That’s not just good; that’s elite. His stuff put him in the same conversation as Gregory Soto and Seranthony Dominguez, two guys expected to anchor the back end of bullpens this year.
And here’s the kicker: Strowd was still on a pre-arbitration contract. That’s gold in today’s game-a high-upside reliever with electric stuff and years of team control.
Yes, the Orioles filled a positional need by acquiring Blaze Alexander. But if the bullpen struggles out of the gate and Strowd is out in Arizona locking down wins three times a week, it’s going to be a tough pill to swallow.
You can’t keep everyone, but letting go of a potential high-leverage arm when your bullpen is already thin? That’s the kind of move that can swing a season.
Final Thoughts
The Orioles made calculated moves this offseason, balancing short-term needs with long-term vision. Bodine and Jackson were expendable, and the front office acted accordingly.
But Strowd? That’s the one that could linger-especially if the bullpen becomes a recurring headline for all the wrong reasons.
In a season where every win will matter, Baltimore’s ability to replace what Strowd could’ve offered might just be the difference between a playoff push and another year of “what ifs.”