The Orioles are heading into the offseason with a clear problem to solve, and the answer being pushed their way is a big one: add offense, fast.
Baltimore came into the 2026 season with expectations, but the year ended with a fourth-place finish in the AL East and a 79-82 record. In a division that is as deep as it gets, that kind of stumble leaves little room to stand pat. The roster needs help, and the outfield is where the cracks show most clearly.
That’s why ESPN’s Jeff Passan pointed Baltimore toward one of the top names on the market, urging the Orioles to go after free agent outfielder Randy Arozarena.
“But one look at the Orioles' outfield illustrates how badly things have gone in Baltimore. With failed prospects and the disaster of Tyler O'Neill's deal, the Orioles need a reset, and it can come in the form of the outfielder who performed best of all free agents at the position in 2026. Sign outfielder Randy Arozarena,” Passan wrote.
It’s not hard to see the fit. Baltimore needs a jolt, and Arozarena would bring exactly the kind of bat the lineup has been missing. He has been one of the more reliable star outfielders in the game for years, and his track record suggests he could slot into the top half of the order and immediately change the look of the offense.
There is some risk attached, of course. Arozarena will turn 32 in February, so any long-term deal would have to account for the possibility of decline as the contract ages. But for a team that needs offensive help and wants back into the playoffs, the upside is obvious.
Arozarena’s 2026 season with the Mariners only strengthens the case. He hit 26 home runs, stole 26 bases, drove in 79 runs, and batted .281 across 154 games. Even more telling, he has now posted at least 20 homers and 20 steals in each of his last six seasons.
For an Orioles club looking for a reset, that kind of consistency would be a welcome addition.
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Orioles Offseason May Hinge On Whether Mike Elias Changes Course
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Names such as Trevor Rogers, Sonny Gray and Michael King fit the kind of conversation Baltimore has to have this winter, even if each comes with a different price and level of commitment. Rogers offers upside, Gray brings a proven track record, and King would be another arm with recent success who could change the look of the rotation quickly. The question hanging over the Orioles is not whether they need pitching, but whether Elias is willing to stretch beyond his usual comfort zone to get it before the market and the calendar tighten further. [Read more 🡒]