Less than a month remains before MLB is expected to head toward another lockout, and the Orioles still have work to do. The exclusive negotiating window closed on November 3, and even with a week gone by, the market has barely moved. That means Mike Elias and new general manager Jared Banner may need to act fast if Baltimore wants to avoid getting boxed out when the flood of moves finally starts.
Elias has never been the type to dive headfirst into the top shelf of free agency. Last offseason’s deal for Pete Alonso was his first real swing at that level, and Orioles fans are hoping he’s willing to go there again - especially on the mound.
Baltimore needs a frontline starter, plain and simple. Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz, and Brandon Young can make for a strong two-three-four in the rotation, but the Orioles cannot head into next season with that group sitting at the top of the staff.
The best path would be to add two arms, one through trade and one through free agency, and both should be impact pitchers. That would also mean Elias doing something he has largely avoided during his eight years running baseball operations in Baltimore.
One obvious option is LHP Trevor Rogers. The Orioles were smart to give him the qualifying offer, which at least slows down some of the competition on the open market.
But the real move would be locking him up long term. Rogers proved in 2025 and again in the second half of 2026 that he can pitch like an ace.
A multi-year deal, even one that reaches nine figures, would be the kind of commitment Baltimore needs to make if it wants to keep him through the prime of his career.
Sonny Gray fits a different lane. If Elias is more comfortable with a shorter commitment than a long-term bet, Gray could make sense.
He’s coming off a career year in Boston and should draw some Cy Young votes after posting a 2.72 ERA in 29 starts with a 1.15 WHIP and fewer than a home run allowed per nine innings. At 37, he’s likely looking at a two-year deal at best, though it would still come with a hefty price tag.
Gray also showed a different side this year, leaning into pitch-to-contact work with the Sox, even after back-to-back seasons with more than 200 strikeouts in 2024 and 2025. A short-term deal with a high average annual value is still outside Elias’s usual comfort zone, but it may be easier for him to swallow than a longer contract.
Then there’s Michael King, the biggest swing of the bunch. Signing him would feel like the kind of surprise Baltimore pulled off with Pete Alonso last offseason, only on the pitching side.
King has thrived since becoming a full-time starter three seasons ago, and after a rough 2025 that included the injury bug, his market was limited enough that he landed a three-year deal with an opt-out for this offseason. He used that opt-out after a strong season and an even better postseason, and now he’s one of the most sought-after names available.
The price is all over the map. ESPN projects three years and $79.5 million, MLB Trade Rumors has him at four years and $92 million, and Jim Bowden of The Athletic goes as high as four years and $118 million. Any of those numbers would be well beyond what Elias has typically done, but King would give Baltimore a true ace - and that’s exactly what this rotation needs.
In Other News...
Orioles Just Got A Telling Sign About Their Pitching Priorities
Emilio Pagns decision to leave Cincinnati for a one-year, $11 million deal with the Detroit Tigers is the latest reminder that the bullpen market is moving quickly, and clubs looking for experienced relief help have to be ready to act. For the Orioles, that matters because their offseason priorities have already been shaped by how they want to support a pitching staff that has to keep getting deeper and more reliable.
Baltimore also brought back Mike Shildt as upper-level coordinator of instruction, likely on a year-to-year basis, a move that underscores how much the organization still values continuity in its pitching development pipeline. It is the kind of behind-the-scenes decision that can say as much about a teams immediate plans as any free-agent signing, even if the full picture of how the Orioles will attack the market is still coming into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Pete Alonso Gave The Orioles Exactly What They Needed Except This
Pete Alonsos first season in Baltimore gave the Orioles plenty to feel good about, and the recognition has followed. He was named to the 2026 All-MLB First Team for the second time, a nod that fits with the kind of year he put together at the plate. Alonso also led the American League in home runs and RBIs, and he was a finalist for the leagues Silver Slugger Award, a reminder that his impact went well beyond the usual power-hitting reputation.
For the Orioles, there was even more to like because Alonsos production translated into immediate value in a lineup that needed it. He ended up winning Baltimores Most Valuable Oriole Award after his first season with the club, which says plenty about how quickly he became central to the teams identity. The only lingering question now is how much of that success can carry over as the Orioles look to build on it from here. [Read more 🡒]
Orioles Offseason Plan Is Starting To Create A Real Roster Debate
At the GM Meetings in Las Vegas, Mike Elias and Jared Banner gave Orioles fans a clearer picture of how the offseason is shaping up, and it starts with continuity. Mike Shildt is set to return as upper-level coordinator of instruction, while the major league coaching staff is expected to stay together unless someone else comes calling. Elias also said the club may use spring training to give some infielders looks in the outfield, a sign the roster could still be flexible even if the front office is leaning toward keeping its core intact.
The bigger takeaway is that Baltimore does not sound eager to move any of its key pieces, even as Elias acknowledged the bullpen remains a concern. He also addressed the recovery timelines for Jordan Westburg and Jackson Holliday, two names that matter to the Orioles infield picture and the clubs broader planning. With the staff largely settled and the trade market sounding quiet, the real debate now is how much room there is for internal shuffling before spring training answers some of the questions. [Read more 🡒]