Good morning, Camden Chatters.
There was a bit of news on the MLB hot stove yesterday, as the Mets and Rangers made a surprising challenge trade — my struggling, expensive veteran for your struggling, expensive veteran — with
a one-for-one swap that sent outfielder Brandon Nimmo to Texas and second baseman Marcus Semien to New York. Both are accomplished big leaguers who are the downside of their careers. Semien is a gifted defender but no longer has the bat he once did, while Nimmo is a good hitter who has become nearly unplayable in the field. Semien is under contract for three more years and $72 million, and Nimmo for five and just over $100 million. So in the long term the Mets save a bit of money in this deal, which they could use to try to re-sign their popular first baseman, Pete Alonso.
Speaking of Alonso, ESPN’s Jorge Castillo highlighted some teams that could be interested in adding the Polar Bear, and his list included the Orioles. Mind you, that doesn’t seem to be based on any specific information Castillo has heard, but mainly just speculation based on the Birds’ stated need for a power hitter. The O’s could decide that the Taylor Ward acquisition has satisfied that need, but if they’re interested in another right-handed slugger, there are few available who are better than Alonso.
Alonso has averaged 42 homers a season during his seven-year career. When he first hit the free agent market last winter, he was coming off a somewhat down year for him — “only” 34 homers, his fewest of any full season — and didn’t receive the offers he was looking for. He ultimately returned to the Mets for one year plus a $24 million player option for 2026 (which he has declined). He rebounded in 2025, raising his OPS from .788 to .871 and delivering a 38-homer, 126-RBI season. Now he’s available again, this time without being saddled with a qualifying offer that would cost his new team a draft pick.
At first glance Alonso doesn’t seem to fit on the Orioles, whose 1B and DH spots are currently overstocked with some combination of Ryan Mountcastle, Coby Mayo, and Samuel Basallo. Still, if they really wanted to, the O’s could clear that logjam by trading Mountcastle and/or Mayo for pitching. Alonso is a significant offensive upgrade over both of those guys, even if Mayo’s bat continues to progress as it did in September. Alonso would be an instant lineup changer, and for what it’s worth, he’s been an exceptional postseason performer with a 1.003 OPS in 16 career playoff games. (Of course, the Orioles would have to actually get to the playoffs for that to matter.)
On the other hand, Alonso turns 31 in two weeks, and any slugger on the wrong side of 30 has to be considered somewhat of a risk. I’m not saying he’s the next Chris Davis, but in the later years of his contract, Alonso might no longer be quite the feared power hitter he’s been for most of his career.
MLB Trade Rumors projects Alonso for a four-year, $110 million deal. What say you, Camden Chatters? Should the Orioles try to bring the Polar Bear to Baltimore?
Links
That’s certainly preferable to banking on being wrong.
More on Orioles’ outfield plans, a third catcher and coaching staff – School of Roch
Mike Elias says he’s not necessarily done adding to the outfield. I take this as a guarantee that Kyle Tucker is going to sign with the Orioles after all. You heard it here first!
O’s Mike Elias on how workload concerns factored into the Grayson Rodriguez deal – Steve Melewski
If you think Elias has already had to do a lot of answering for the Grayson trade, just wait until he wins the Cy Young for the Angels in two years.
Orioles birthdays and history
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Four ex-Orioles were born on this day, including former #1 overall pick and current MASN broadcaster Ben McDonald, who turns 58. Happy birthday, Big Ben! Also born on Nov. 24 were Aussie lefty Damian Moss (49), right-hander Fred Beene (83), and the late outfielder Jim Northrup (b. 1939, d. 2011).
On this date in 1982, Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. won the AL Rookie of the Year Award after posting a .792 OPS with 28 homers and 93 RBIs as a 21-year-old. He also played the last 118 consecutive games of that season, a streak that did not seem like a big deal at the time. (Spoiler: It became a big deal.) One of the rookies that Ripken beat for the award was Red Sox third baseman Wade Boggs, whom Cal would later join in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
