The Baltimore Orioles have been one of the busiest teams this offseason-and for good reason. Coming off a breakout season with a young, exciting core, the O’s entered winter knowing they had ground to make up in a loaded AL East. And while they’ve made some bold moves, the question still lingers: have they done enough?
Baltimore’s front office, led by GM Mike Elias, hasn’t been shy about taking risks. Some of those moves already look like masterstrokes.
Others? Let’s just say the jury’s still out.
Let’s break down the highlights-and the head-scratchers-of the Orioles’ offseason so far.
Two Moves That Already Look Like Wins
1. Locking Down Pete Alonso on a Five-Year, $155 Million Deal
This one has the makings of a franchise-altering move. Pete Alonso might not have landed the biggest contract in Orioles history, but it’s arguably the most impactful. The slugger reportedly entered the offseason seeking a deal of at least seven years, so getting him for five is a major win for Baltimore-not just financially, but strategically.
Alonso brings a rare mix of power and consistency. He’s one of the most durable players in the league and owns a career strikeout rate of 22.8%, which is right around league average.
That’s impressive when you consider the kind of power he brings to the table. He’s not just a home run hitter-he’s a legitimate middle-of-the-order force who instantly deepens the Orioles’ lineup.
And let’s not overlook the division dynamics here. The Red Sox were rumored to be in the mix for Alonso, so Baltimore not only adds a premier bat, but keeps him away from a rival. That’s a double win in a division where every edge matters.
2. The Andrew Kittredge Trade Circle
This one’s a bit of a chess move, and it’s paying off. Back at the trade deadline, the Orioles sent reliever Andrew Kittredge to the Cubs in exchange for Wilfri De La Cruz, a teenage international prospect. The move didn’t sit well with fans at the time-De La Cruz was talented, but miles away from the majors.
Fast forward to this offseason, and Baltimore reacquired Kittredge from the Cubs for cash. So let’s connect the dots: they essentially loaned Kittredge to Chicago for a few months, got a top-15 international prospect in return, and then brought Kittredge right back into their bullpen. That’s the kind of long game front offices dream about.
Kittredge helps stabilize the back end of the bullpen, and De La Cruz adds a high-upside piece to the farm system. It’s a savvy, forward-thinking sequence that makes Elias look like he’s playing 4D chess.
Two Moves That Raise Questions
1. Trading Grayson Rodriguez for Taylor Ward
This is the kind of move that could go either way, depending on what comes next. On the surface, dealing a potential top-of-the-rotation arm like Grayson Rodriguez-injury history or not-feels risky. Especially when the Orioles’ rotation still needs a frontline presence.
Taylor Ward is a solid player, no doubt. He’s one of the more underrated hitters in the league and brings a veteran presence to the outfield. But he’s also in the final year of his contract, and his addition could block promising young outfielders like Dylan Beavers or Colton Cowser from getting regular reps.
This trade starts to make more sense if it’s part of a bigger plan. If the Orioles are setting up a deal to flip one of their young outfielders-say, in a package for a starter like Freddy Peralta-then this could be the first domino.
And if they extend Ward after that? Even better.
But if this is the end of the line, and Rodriguez blossoms elsewhere while Ward walks in a year, it’s going to sting. There’s upside here, but there’s also a lot of risk.
2. Signing Ryan Helsley to a Two-Year, $28 Million Deal
The Orioles needed a closer. With Felix Bautista out, the ninth inning was a glaring hole in an otherwise strong bullpen. Enter Ryan Helsley, a former All-Star with electric stuff-but also a recent history of injuries and inconsistency.
At $14 million per year, this isn’t a bargain-bin signing. In fact, when you stack it up against other recent bullpen deals-like Robert Suarez’s $15 million per year with Atlanta-it’s hard to say the Orioles got much value here.
Now, if Helsley returns to peak form, this deal could look a lot better in hindsight. He has the tools to dominate late innings and could thrive in a change of scenery. But as it stands, this feels like a high-cost gamble on a bounce-back candidate.
Final Thoughts
The Orioles are clearly going for it-and that’s a welcome change for a team that’s spent years rebuilding. They’ve added a legitimate power bat, pulled off a slick bullpen maneuver, and made some bold bets on both veterans and prospects. But the work isn’t done.
If Elias has another move or two up his sleeve-especially on the starting pitching front-Baltimore could be in position to make serious noise in 2025. If not, some of these bets may not age well.
One thing’s for sure: the Orioles aren’t playing it safe. And in a division as cutthroat as the AL East, that might be the only way forward.