Spring’s Almost Here, and the Orioles Still Have Moves to Make
With spring training just days away, the Orioles are on the clock. The roster isn’t quite a finished product yet, and there are still a few key areas that need shoring up-most notably the bullpen, and possibly the rotation.
Don’t be surprised if GM Mike Elias continues to scour the waiver wire in the coming days. He’s made a habit of finding useful depth pieces that way, and with a few roster spots still in flux, it’s a low-risk, high-reward approach that makes sense.
The Rotation Watch: Gallen, Verlander, Giolito
Among Orioles fans, there’s a growing buzz around three names: Zac Gallen, Justin Verlander, and Lucas Giolito. Each brings something different to the table.
Gallen is the high-upside play-young, talented, and capable of fronting a playoff rotation. But he’d come at a steep cost, both financially and in terms of draft compensation. He’s the kind of pitcher who could raise the Orioles’ ceiling, but there’s risk involved.
Verlander and Giolito offer more stability. They may not move the needle in terms of top-end dominance at this stage in their careers, but they’d solidify the back half of the rotation and bring valuable experience. For a team looking to build on a strong 2025 campaign, that’s no small thing.
Looking Ahead to the Deadline
If the Orioles don’t make a splash before Opening Day, that doesn’t mean they’re done. In fact, it might just be a matter of timing.
Should Baltimore find itself in the playoff hunt again this summer-as many expect-it’s likely Elias will be aggressive at the trade deadline. That’s when the big-name, frontline starters tend to become available, and it’s also when teams get a clearer picture of what they need to make a deep run.
But those kinds of moves are expensive. We’re talking about parting with top prospects and taking on significant salary. So it makes sense that the front office is leaving some financial flexibility heading into the season.
Payroll Room to Work With
Right now, the Orioles are sitting at a projected luxury tax number of $189 million. That’s up $10 million from where they finished last season-though it’s worth noting that figure came after a flurry of sell-offs. Importantly, they’re still well below the $244 million luxury tax threshold, and new ownership has signaled a willingness to spend when the time is right.
Back in December, at Pete Alonso’s introductory press conference, David Rubenstein made it clear: there’s no hard cap on what the team can spend. That leaves the door wide open for a midseason splash, assuming the right opportunity presents itself.
What About Extensions?
Could the Orioles use some of that financial wiggle room on a player extension? It’s possible.
But even if a deal gets done before Opening Day, it likely wouldn’t have much impact on the 2026 luxury tax number. Still, locking in a core piece would be a strong signal of intent from the front office-and something the fanbase would surely welcome.
Around the Roster: Waiver Moves and Missed Opportunities
The Orioles recently tried to sneak both Weston Wilson and Bryan Ramos through waivers in hopes of keeping them in the organization. They succeeded with Wilson, who now looks destined for Triple-A Norfolk.
Ramos, on the other hand, was claimed by the Cardinals. That doesn’t mean the door is closed-Elias is known for keeping tabs on players who slip through his fingers.
We may not have seen the last of Ramos in an Orioles uniform.
As for the one that got away, Framber Valdez won’t be pitching in Baltimore this year. It’s a miss, no doubt-Valdez would’ve added real bite to the rotation-but it’s not a death blow. If the O’s position themselves well through the first half of the season, they’ll have another shot at landing a difference-maker in July.
Blaze Alexander and the Bullpen Puzzle
Roch Kubatko recently took a crack at projecting the Opening Day roster, and one thing’s clear: the bullpen is still a work in progress. Don’t be surprised if a late addition or two helps stabilize the group before the season gets underway. Depth is going to matter, especially with the grind of a 162-game schedule.
Orioles Birthdays: A Trip Down Memory Lane
Let’s take a moment to celebrate some Orioles past and present:
- Scott Feldman turns 43. He came over from the Cubs in 2013 in a trade that sent Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop the other way.
Feldman posted a 4.27 ERA in 15 starts that year. Arrieta, of course, went on to win a Cy Young in Chicago.
One of those trades that stings in hindsight.
- Jon Leicester is 47. He made 10 appearances for the 2007 Orioles.
- Endy Chavez turns 48. He played 64 games during the magical 2012 season that saw the Orioles return to the playoffs and land on the cover of Sports Illustrated alongside Adam Jones and Nick Markakis.
- Dave Borkowski is 49. He pitched in 17 games during the 2004 campaign.
- Benny Ayala celebrates his 75th birthday. He wore the Orioles uniform from 1979 through 1984, appearing in two World Series and delivering a key pinch-hit single in Game 3 of the 1983 Fall Classic.
- Al Smith, born in 1928, passed away in 2002. He played one season in Baltimore, putting up a 111 OPS+ with 10 home runs in 1963.
This Day in O’s History
Back in 2012, the Orioles found themselves in hot water with the KBO after signing 17-year-old pitcher Seong-min Kim without notifying the Korean league first-a violation of protocol. The KBO filed a formal protest, and MLB ultimately voided the deal to preserve its relationship with Korean baseball. A reminder that international signings come with their own set of rules-and consequences.
Bottom Line
The Orioles are in a strong position heading into 2026, but there’s still work to be done. Whether it’s a late free-agent signing, a savvy waiver claim, or a blockbuster deadline deal, expect the front office to stay active. The pieces are in place for another run-but the final touches will matter.