It’s been a whirlwind offseason in Baltimore - and Mike Elias is just getting started.
Since October 27, the Orioles’ president of baseball operations has been on a mission, reshaping the roster with a series of bold, win-now moves. The headline additions? A new manager in Craig Albernaz, a pair of right-handed power bats in Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward, a proven closer in Ryan Helsley, a high-leverage setup man in Andrew Kittredge, and a promising young starter in Shane Baz.
That’s a serious injection of talent - and Elias made it clear over the weekend that he’s not done yet.
“We’re gonna keep working and looking for opportunities to improve the team and improve the roster,” Elias said during a Saturday video call. “Or just maybe there are moves that we think are good value exchanges and we take advantage of those opportunities.
I don’t know what’s coming. We’re just going to keep working in the marketplace.”
Translation: buckle up. The Orioles are still active, and the American League East isn’t exactly sitting still either.
Big Swings, Big Spending
Four of the five new additions came at a significant cost - both in terms of prospects and payroll. The Orioles gave up four top-30 prospects and the No. 33 pick in next year’s draft to land Baz.
Ward came at the price of Grayson Rodriguez, a key piece of the rotation. Alonso signed for five years and $155 million, while Helsley inked a two-year, $28 million deal.
The one exception? Kittredge, who was reacquired for cash considerations. He’ll cost $9 million in 2026, but for a team that needed bullpen help, that’s a savvy pickup.
Elias was candid about the team’s offseason wishlist - and how much of it they’ve already checked off.
“At the very beginning of the offseason, we were looking for a backend reliever, we were looking for one starting pitcher, we were looking for a big bat,” he said. “And I think that we definitely checked those boxes.”
Still, Elias emphasized that the Orioles aren’t closing the book on this winter just yet. There’s more to do - and the front office has the green light to keep pushing.
“Our ownership group has put us in a really good position to explore all these things, and that’s been a huge benefit for us so far this offseason,” he added.
Rotation Still Needs Reinforcements
Even with Baz in the fold, the Orioles’ rotation remains a work in progress. Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells - both expected to be key starters - combined for just 10 starts in 2025 after undergoing elbow surgeries in June 2024. Their status heading into 2026 is still uncertain.
That leaves Baz, Dean Kremer, and Trevor Rogers as the current front-line options. Behind them, the Orioles have young arms like Cade Povich and Brandon Young, along with veteran Albert Suárez, who was re-signed on a minor league deal and could be used as a swingman.
Two of the Orioles’ top targets - Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez - are still on the market. Whether Baltimore pushes for one of them or settles for a depth piece remains to be seen. But make no mistake: another starter is on the radar.
Building Out the Bullpen
The bullpen picture is starting to come into focus, but there’s still room for another arm or two.
Adding Helsley and Kittredge gives the Orioles a legitimate late-inning duo, and they’ve got a mix of returning arms and new depth to round things out. Keegan Akin, Dietrich Enns, and Kade Strowd are all in the mix, and the team still has Yennier Cano, Rico Garcia, Yaramil Hiraldo, Colin Selby, and Grant Wolfram from last year’s group.
It’s not a finished product, but it’s a competitive foundation - and with a little more help, it could be a strength.
Infield Flexibility and the Mountcastle Question
One area Elias may still address is infield depth. Luis Vázquez offers versatility - he can handle all four infield spots - but he’s not currently on the 40-man roster.
Jeremiah Jackson has big-league experience, but mostly at third and in right field. A utility infielder could be added, though Elias doesn’t seem inclined to spend big in that area.
Catching depth is also thin. The Orioles briefly had Drew Romo on the roster before losing him on waivers to the Mets. Maverick Handley cleared waivers and remains in the organization as insurance, but it doesn’t look like Baltimore will carry a third catcher on the 26-man roster.
Then there’s the Ryan Mountcastle situation - one of the more intriguing storylines heading into spring training.
With Alonso now locked in at first base, Mountcastle’s role is in flux. His $7.8 million projected salary for 2026 - his final year before free agency - makes him a potential trade candidate. Especially with Coby Mayo waiting in the wings.
Elias made it clear Mayo still has a path to playing time.
“He had, I think, a very successful stretch run last year,” Elias said. “He looked really good and is in a really good spot.
And there is still a lot of playing time available for him on a team that has Pete Alonso now. We have first base reps, we have designated hitter reps... and the exploration of other positions - whether it’s third or something in the corner outfield - has been something we’ve always talked about with him.”
The message? Mayo’s bat is too valuable to keep on the bench. If he continues to show defensive versatility, he could find himself in the lineup more often than not - regardless of Alonso’s presence.
Outfield Depth Still in Play
The Orioles could also look to add another outfielder before camp opens. They’ve already brought in Leody Taveras as a depth option, but with injuries always a factor and Ward now a key piece, another outfield bat wouldn’t hurt.
Final Stretch Before Spring
With about seven weeks to go before pitchers and catchers report, the Orioles are in a strong position - but not a finished one.
They’ve upgraded the lineup with serious power, added late-inning relief help, and brought in a high-upside arm for the rotation. But they’re still in the market for another starter, could use more bullpen depth, and may look to tweak the roster around the edges.
If the last two months are any indication, Elias and the Orioles aren’t planning to sit back and watch the rest of the division make moves. They’re in the fight - and they’re not done swinging.