Good morning, Camden Chatters.
MLB’s hot stove has yet to start cooking. There have been no major trades or free agent signings of note in the less than two weeks since the World Series ended. This week’s
just-concluded GM meetings in Las Vegas failed to produce any kind of news, but since The Baltimore Banner’s Andy Kostka was covering the event anyway, he surveyed a few MLB executives to get their opinions about what moves the Orioles should make this offseason.
There was a clear consensus that the O’s need to bolster their starting rotation in a big way, with multiple respondents emphasizing that the club needs a “front-line,” “No. 1” type of pitcher, not just another back-end guy. Others pointed out that the Birds need to address their bullpen, particularly their setup and closer spots, with one agent saying, “Right now the final two innings are a bit of a mystery.”
The offense needs help, too. An experienced middle-of-the-order hitter such as Cody Bellinger or Kyle Schwarber “could unlock the rest of the lineup,” Kostka writes. Beyond that, a couple of the MLB insiders think the Orioles could greatly benefit from adding a veteran hitter who can step into a leadership role. They name-dropped 17-year MLB veteran Justin Turner as a possibility. Turner, after posting a .602 OPS in a part-time role for the Cubs this season, wouldn’t qualify as anyone’s idea of an offensive upgrade. But if he could fill the leadership void that was clearly lacking on the 2025 Orioles and can restore some confidence in the young players who struggled this year, that in itself would be a valuable asset.
All of these ideas seem to jibe with the shopping list that Mike Elias has laid out for the Orioles this offseason. But it’s going to require the O’s to spend money, and the MLB insiders seem skeptical that it’ll happen, despite owner David Rubenstein’s insistence that the club doesn’t have any financial constraints. One scout noted that the other AL East teams will be targeting many of the same players the Birds are interested in, “and they always pay more money than the Orioles. I guess we’ll see if Rubenstein is serious.” And one agent, asked whether he thinks the Orioles will spend big money, simply answered, “Unfortunately, no.”
That skepticism, I think, is well founded. The Orioles have yet to sign a top-shelf free agent during the Mike Elias era, both under previous ownership and under the current one, so I’m just going to keep assuming it won’t happen unless/until they prove me wrong. But if ever there were a time to bust open the wallet, it’s now. The Orioles have a lot of roster holes to fill if they hope to bounce back from their miserable 2025 season, and low-tier acquisitions and half measures aren’t going to cut it.
Come on, Orioles. Don’t be afraid to spend for high-level talent. Let’s make this one of the most exciting offseasons in years.
Links
Orioles ‘unlikely’ to hire GM under Mike Elias this winter – The Baltimore Banner
You know, the fact that the O’s are in no rush to fill the position kinda makes me feel like it’s not going to be a particularly important job.
In the absence of any actual roster additions, Mike Elias says he had “a lot of information gathering and a lot of meetings.” Exciting stuff, folks!
Could Tyler Wells be Orioles’ closer in 2026? | MAILBAG – BaltimoreBaseball.com
I don’t hate the idea of Wells as a closer. But I have a feeling he’s going to be needed in the rotation after three or four other starting pitchers inevitably get injured. These are the Orioles, after all.
Orioles birthdays and history
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Two former Orioles were born on this day: shortstop Freddy Galvis (36) and right-hander Curt Schilling (59).
On this date in 1973, Hall of Fame Orioles ace Jim Palmer won his first of his three career Cy Young Awards after going 22-9 with 19 complete games and leading the American League with a 2.40 ERA. Palmer earned 14 of the 24 first-place votes, with fellow Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan (nine) and Catfish Hunter (one) garnering the others. Palmer also finished as the AL MVP runner-up to Reggie Jackson, his future teammate.
And on this day two years ago, the Orioles’ Brandon Hyde was named Manager of the Year after leading the O’s to 101 wins and an AL East title. And it’s all been smooth sailing since then for Hyde, one assumes.
