The Baltimore Orioles didn’t sit quietly this offseason. After a 2025 campaign that left fans frustrated and the front office searching for answers, executive VP and GM Mike Elias went to work.
Trades, signings, and roster reshuffling came fast and often. But as spring training opens, the big question remains: Did the Orioles truly get better where it mattered most?
Let’s start with the rotation, which was clearly the focal point heading into the winter. Elias was vocal about his desire to land a frontline starter-someone who could anchor a staff that lacked consistency and health last season.
He acknowledged the price tag that comes with ace-caliber arms and made it clear the Orioles were willing to pay it. For a while, it looked like that aggressive mindset might lead to a splash.
Baltimore was linked to multiple high-end names-Ranger Suárez, Framber Valdez, and even Freddy Peralta in trade talks. But as the offseason progressed, one by one, those options slipped away. Whether it was contract demands, trade packages, or fit, the Orioles ultimately didn’t land the kind of top-tier starter Elias had hinted at.
That doesn’t mean they stood still. The Orioles made a bold move to acquire Shane Baz, a high-upside arm with electric stuff but a checkered injury history.
They brought back Zach Eflin, a familiar face who offers stability in the middle of the rotation. And they added veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt, a reliable innings-eater who brings leadership and experience.
It’s a group with potential-but also one with plenty of question marks. What it lacks is that clear No. 1, the kind of pitcher who can match up with the Gerrit Coles and Kevin Gausmans of the AL East.
And this is the AL East we’re talking about-baseball’s most unforgiving neighborhood. You don’t just need good pitching; you need elite pitching to survive the grind.
The bullpen, another sore spot from 2025, needed just as much attention. With a 4.57 ERA that ranked 25th in the majors and the likely season-long absence of All-Star closer Félix Bautista, the Orioles had work to do.
Elias made some moves here too. He re-acquired Andrew Kittredge from the Cubs-a solid arm with a track record.
He also rolled the dice on Ryan Helsley to close games. At his best, Helsley is lights-out.
But the version that showed up after his trade to the Mets posted a 7.20 ERA and struggled with command and pitch tipping. Even before that, his numbers with the Cardinals were trending in the wrong direction.
Then there’s the left-handed relief situation, which looks thin at best. Keegan Akin is coming off a 3.41 ERA season, but his walk rate doubled and his FIP ballooned to 4.94-a sign that regression could be lurking.
The only other lefty in the pen right now is Dietrich Enns, a journeyman who’s more depth piece than difference-maker. That’s a problem, especially in a division loaded with dangerous left-handed hitters.
What Baltimore’s bullpen is banking on is a mix of bounce-back candidates and internal growth. That’s a risky formula.
Could it work? Sure.
Shane Baz, Trevor Rogers, and Kyle Bradish all have the stuff to emerge as top-tier starters. But they’ve also battled injuries and inconsistency.
Could Helsley return to his dominant 2024 form? Absolutely.
But that’s a big "if" in a role where certainty is king.
This kind of roster-building approach might be enough in a weaker division. But in the AL East, where every team is stacked and every series feels like a playoff battle, there’s little room for error.
The Yankees, Blue Jays, and Rays aren’t slowing down. Baltimore needed to close the gap-and it’s fair to question whether they did.
There’s no denying that Elias was active. The Orioles made moves.
They added depth. They took some swings.
But activity doesn’t always equal progress. The glaring needs-a true ace, a more fortified bullpen, especially from the left side-are still there.
And now, with spring training underway and most of the major names off the board, the time to fix them has likely passed.
There’s talent on this roster, no doubt. But there’s also a lot riding on things breaking right.
That’s a tough spot to be in when the margin for error is razor-thin. The Orioles might have improved around the edges, but unless some of these bets pay off in a big way, they could find themselves once again chasing the pack in baseball’s toughest division.