With spring training only a few weeks away, it’s possible that the Orioles are done adding to the roster. Framber Valdez remains available, and the Birds could strike for a number of players at any point, but the team could also decide to stand pat.
The majority of free agents have already found new homes. The front office made significant additions by signing Pete Alonso, acquiring Shane Baz, inking Ryan Helsley, bringing back Zach Eflin, and trading for Taylor Ward.
On paper, this roster looks far
more competitive than the team that finished at the bottom of the AL East in 2025. But the Orioles didn’t bring in a $155 million first baseman just to not finish last. This team wants a division crown and a real run at the World Series. Do they have the talent for that?
The lineup looks set aside from a potential hole in center field. On the other hand, you can never have enough pitching. Baz will immediately join Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish in the rotation. Eflin figures to join the bunch when healthy, and Dean Kremer remains a dependable—yet unspectacular—arm. Tyler Wells has the talent to make the rotation if healthy, while guys like Cade Povich and Brandon Young hope to receive another chance.
Helsley will anchor the bullpen with Félix Bautista set to miss at least the first half. The Birds brought back Andrew Kittredge, and Keegan Akin will return as a sold left-handed option. After that, the picture gets slightly less clear.
There’s room for improvement in both units, and the Orioles should leave no stone unturned when it comes to adding pitchers. With that being said, which group needs more help?
The case for the rotation
The Orioles went into the offseason with a clear need at the top of the rotation, and they have yet to address that need. The team views Baz as a player that could fill that role down the road, but nobody should expect the 26-year-old to pitch like an ace this season. Trevor Rogers looked like a Cy Young pitcher last year over 18 starts, but he missed out on the award because he only made 18 starts. Kyle Bradish finished fourth in Cy Young voting back in 2023, but he has only 14 starts over the least two seasons.
The Birds have a rotation that can get them to the playoffs, but can this staff help them advance? Baltimore watched Dylan Cease go off the board early, but a guy like Valdez can take the ball in Game 1. Zac Gallen isn’t a true ace, but his presence could prevent a guy like Kremer from starting the third or fourth game of a playoff series.
In the same vein, adding a top arm would allow a talented pitcher to fall to the bullpen. Wells would bring credibility to a bunch lacking in experience. Povich, Young, and Chayce McDermott all profile as guys that could thrive in shorter stints. If the Birds fail to add, they’ll only be a few injuries from depending on these guys every fifth day.
The case for the bullpen
The current rotation features a pretty clear pecking order. Bradish and Rogers stand a level above the rest. Eflin and Baz fit into the middle of the rotation with the potential to over perform. Kremer and Wells are known commodities, and the other guys have some potential.
The bullpen hierarchy is less clear. Helsley is the closer until Bautista comes back. Kittredge and Akin can be trusted in high-leverage situations. Then what?
Kade Strowd posted a 1.71 ERA over 25 games last season, but the 28-year-old still carries rookie status. Rico Garcia out performed his career 5.27 ERA last season, but the 32-year-old hardly qualifies as a sure thing. The same can be said for Colin Selby, Grant Wolfram, and Yaramil Hiraldo.
The Birds would love to see Yennier Cano get back on track after he posted a 5.12 ERA last season. Anthony Nunez will likely make his major league debut after arriving in the Cedric Mullins deal last July. Dietrich Enns and Albert Suárez are both talented swingmen that could turn into a pumpkin at any point.
The case against the rotation
The Orioles added two legitimate starters in Eflin and Baz. Eflin literally took the ball on Opening Day last season, and new skipper Craig Albernaz recently described Baz to the Baltimore Banner podcast as someone with “all the potential in the world to be an ace and to go out there and be in the conversation for a Cy Young” down the road.
While looking to the future, it’s crucial to think about the money an aging Valdez or Gallen would make in their mid 30s. Baltimore paid for the best years of Alonso while taking on some risk for the later years. Can they afford to do the same with a starting pitcher?
Veterans like Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer wouldn’t require multi-year deals, but it’s fair to wonder if they actually represent an improvement over the five guys in the rotation at this point in their career
The case against the bullpen
It’s not uncommon for competitive teams to piece together an unheralded bullpen. Relievers are volatile from year to year, and it’s never a guarantee that a free agent signing will meet expectations. Helsley, Kittredge and Akin should blend nicely with the raw talent from guys like Strowd and Nunez, and a bounceback from Cano is still in the cards.
While guys like Valdez and Gallen remain available, there are very few relievers still on the open market. A reunion with Danny Coulombe would play, and reclamation projects like Liam Hendriks are still a possibility.
Any significant addition would likely come via trade. Baltimore was linked to Jojo Romero last month, and the Rockies have multiple relievers that could be available for the right price. But if a trade is required, the Orioles might prefer to wait and see who is hot at the trade deadline.
