On the heels of a disappointing 2025 season, Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias is striking a much more aggressive tenor in his early media appearances this offseason than last. Baltimore’s baseball ops leader candidly acknowledged this week that he’s hopeful of adding a starter who can give his team “innings and front-half-of-the-rotation stuff” as well as a reliever “who has closer experience” (links via Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner and Jake Rill of MLB.com. Just as notably, Elias voiced that he is “fully prepared” to forfeit draft pick(s) to sign free agents who have rejected a qualifying offer.
It’s a notable departure from Baltimore’s 2024-25 offseason. The O’s made a multi-year offer to Corbin Burnes that wasn’t accepted. It’s not clear how many — if any — other free agents received multi-year offers from the Orioles.
Ultimately, Elias & Co. handed out almost exclusively one-year deals, signing Charlie Morton ($15MM), Tomoyuki Sugano ($13MM), Andrew Kittredge ($10MM), Gary Sanchez ($8.5MM), Ramon Laureano ($4MM) and Dylan Carlson ($975K) for the 2025 season. Outfielder Tyler O’Neill was the lone recipient of a multi-year guarantee, landing three years and $49.5MM. Even that deal came with an opt-out opportunity following the 2025 season.
O’Neill was not only the lone multi-year free agent signing for the Orioles last winter — he’s the only free agent Elias has signed to a multi-year deal in seven offseasons leading Baltimore’s baseball operations. For much of that time, the team has been rebuilding, which helps to explain the lack of a multi-year investment. Elias told Darragh McDonald in a recent guest appearance on the MLBTR Podcast that there’s no organizational aversion to multi-year free agent deals, they simply haven’t lined up on one during his tenure.
At least based on his early comments, Elias seems more resolute in his efforts to pursue higher-end talent. The O’s have a pair of notable arms in Kyle Bradish and the resurgent Trevor Rogers atop their rotation, but Rogers is a free agent next winter and Bradish only returned from Tommy John surgery this past summer. Voicing a preference to sign someone who can pitch in the “front half” of the rotation and expressing a willingness to punt draft picks both signal a more aggressive playbook this winter.
On the free agent side of things, the market has several interesting names. Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, Michael King, Brandon Woodruff and Zac Gallen all received qualifying offers. None are expected to accept. NPB star Tatsuya Imai will also be posted for MLB clubs, adding a 28-year-old wild card to the mix. Notably, Elias was the Astros’ scouting director when the team signed Valdez as an amateur in 2016. The two overlapped in Houston’s organization for a couple years.
On the trade side of the coin, there are a number of high-profile arms likely to be available. Much as it pains fans of pitching-hungry clubs, there’s minimal chance the Tigers will trade Tarik Skubal. The Brewers seem inclined to hang onto Freddy Peralta. Twins president Derek Falvey has said he plans to add to the roster until he’s told otherwise, which casts some doubt on the immediate availability of Joe Ryan and/or Pablo Lopez. But the market still includes names like MacKenzie Gore, Sonny Gray, Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera and Mitch Keller, among others.
Broadly speaking, whether it’s via free agency or trade, there’s benefit in the Orioles adding a starter who’s controlled/signed beyond 2026. Rogers, as mentioned, is a free agent next winter. Righties Dean Kremer and Tyler Wells will be free agents after the 2027 season. There’s little doubting the pure talent of righty Grayson Rodriguez, but by the time Opening Day 2026 rolls around, he’ll be 20 months removed from pitching in a big league game. There’s very little long-term stability in the group.
As for the relief market, the number of qualified free agents is far lower. Devin Williams didn’t receive a QO from the Yankees. Robert Suarez didn’t get one from the Padres. Edwin Diaz was the only reliever tagged with a QO. That said, there are a number of a high-profile names from which to choose. Diaz, Suarez, Williams, Ryan Helsley, Raisel Iglesias, Kyle Finnegan and Pete Fairbanks all have extensive closing experience in the majors. If the preference is a one-year deal, 38-year-old Kenley Jansen keeps getting the job done even as he inches closer to his 40th birthday.
Whoever ends up emerging as the priority, payroll shouldn’t be an issue. The only players guaranteed anything beyond the 2026 season are O’Neill and catcher Samuel Basallo, who inked a long-term extension just days after making his MLB debut. They’re owed a combined $17.5MM in 2027. After ’27, Basallo’s eight-year, $67MM deal is the only contract on the books. It’d be a surprise to see the Orioles sign a high-end starter and a prominent reliever to multi-year deals, but only because they haven’t operated that way in quite some time. Payroll-wise, there’s no reason they couldn’t bring in a pair of prominent free agents.
Elias also suggested that the O’s will be on the lookout for an additional option in center field. While he praised Colton Cowser’s long-term outlook and expressed confidence that the 25-year-old (26 next March) can handle the position defensively, Baltimore’s president also noted that “you can’t get through the year with one center fielder.”
A reunion with Cedric Mullins seems unlikely, as he’ll presumably want everyday at-bats (or close to it) wherever he goes, while the O’s have O’Neill, Cowser and Dylan Beavers already in the mix for playing time, to say nothing of recently signed Leody Taveras and former top prospect Heston Kjerstad. Enrique Bradfield Jr., the No. 17 overall pick in 2023 and one of the system’s top prospects, reached Triple-A last year and could debut in 2026.
Part-time center field options on the market could include Lane Thomas, Harrison Bader or Chas McCormick, whom Elias drafted with the Astros back in 2017. Trade possibilities could include Arizona’s Alek Thomas or Colorado’s Brenton Doyle. If Twins ownership winds up pushing the front office to further scale back payroll, then not only would Lopez and Ryan be available — Byron Buxton may even be amenable to waiving his no-trade clause.
As always, this is far from an exhaustive list of targets for the Orioles or possibilities to fill those needs. In all likelihood, the O’s will be looking for multiple relievers, additional bench pieces and ample minor league depth in both the rotation and bullpen (at the very least). There’s been some suggestion that they could pursue a more prominent bat to hit in the middle of the lineup. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman called them a dark horse for Pete Alonso, noting that there’s “some interest” from the O’s. Be that as it may, it’d be a surprise if they did anything more than lurk on the periphery of his market to offer a soft landing if Alonso again struggles to find a long-term deal this winter.
It’s hard to keep up in the AL East if you don’t spend some money.
Not true in AL East (just ask the Yankees who, despite their best efforts, cannot spend their way to the WS) or other places (just ask the Padres). Some spending is needed for sure but for long-term success it better be judicious and coupled with a great system that provides talent and depth. Many (most?) free agents do not pan out, do not reliably deliver or meet expectations.
Preller is a good GM. He does it differently. But he continues to scout all those highly coveted prospects he uses as trade chips. Spending doesn’t always get you there but neither do relying on prospects without supplementing.
—see Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Milwaukee
Agree with your last point. But Machado, Tatis and Xander (not to mention Darvish—yikes) are massive contracts that prevent flexibility. I wouldn’t say Elias has relied on prospects, as many claim. I think he made a great deal of effort to acquire more pieces last offseason but didn’t land the deal(s) he wanted and he then opted to stay with what he had, which frankly looked good (at least to me) heading into the season. I think he realizes it wasn’t enough, especially in this era, hence he’ll be bolder this offseason, but I wouldn’t look for him to be stupid with spending, as most ML execs are.
I disagree with the Baltimore assessment going into the season. They lost their ace and didn’t do much to add to a team that had good young talent but was fairly thin on depth.
Baltimore also had to anticipate that the Yankees and Toronto were going to add talent. It was also possible that last off season the Red Sox might finally attempt to win again.
I saw the Orioles off season as a waste of a win now window.
I hear you, and yet I also get Elias’s perspective, as it was largely mine. Heading into last season the O’s had an emerging ace in G-Rod, a guy who was outstanding since being acquired at the previous deadline in Eflin, a great bullpen so the one of the best closers in the game returning and a potentially unprecedented core of young talent. He also had a frontline starter returning (Bradish) plus Wells returning later in the season. He also had pieces to deal, if needed, at the upcoming trade deadline. (And by the way, their “ace” from the year before was done by June 1.) He gambled with that assessment, and lost, the result of injuries to many significant players, as well as overall offensive underperformance. They’ll be more than fine in the year ahead.
Dmitri
Rodriguez is continually overvalued, as his results on the field with the exception 13 starts in the 2nd half of 2023 (76 IP/2.58 ERA) have not matched the hype.
In 2024 he pitched mid-rotation level ball before getting hurt – again (20 starts, 3.86 ERA/3.66 FIP, 1.243 WHIP). He was a disaster in early 2023.
His body can’t hold up to 30 starts. I think he can be a big plus in the bullpen, but writing him into a 2026 rotation spot now let alone expecting the ace we’ve been hearing about since 2022 is a fool’s errand.
The Yankees are a terrible comparison. They are a prime example of spending keeping them in the mix. They haven’t finished below .500 since 1992 and are always in the mix for playoffs and AL East crown.
It’s hard to keep up in the AL East with no pitching.
True. The Orioles went into the season expecting to be competitive and probably would have been buyers at the deadline.
Didn’t he say the same things last offseaon?
No
He should have.
Words have been said in the past.
If he’s actually available, Buxton would probably be my #1 want this offseason, but I’m guessing he ends up staying put in the end.
He’s a major health risk but the upside and fit is perfect. I’d roll the dice too
I get it on the talent but guys with injury history and the 2026 Os dont feel like a great match. There was a time when it sounded like Duran and the Red Sox were not in love with each other so I’d knock on that door often if there is any chance it could work. I’d move on from Cowser and use him as a trade chip even if he had modest value and a bit more had to be included.
On the trade front would love the Os to make a run at Joe Ryan and no matter how much they talk about being in the market for expensive long-term guys think the cheap 2 year commitment is them all day.
After them, I would like to see us go for these guys in order, knowing not all could be signed:
-Edwin Diaz
-Josh Naylor
-Shota Imanaga
-Bo Bichette (actually top of the list but cant kid myself that they’d entertain it. Then hopefully get a haul for Gunnar letting him go find his winning culture.)
-Framber
-Merrill Kelly
I don’t want to touch Shota with a ten foot pole. 4 months of a healthy Buxton would be more impactful than him.
Maybe true on Buxton but he has had 4 healthy months about twice in 10 years. So expecting the healthy 4 months is a big assumption.
Oww!! I like that King, really good call!
Need to compliment that young core of hitters
They won the division not long ago and then didn’t do anything to try to go further. I’d say closer to another rebuild than a bunch of high profile FA signings.
Sadly, I agree
Ownership flux but this winter and 2026 say a LOT.
Change of ownership could make a difference. Still feel like every team is now aiming for 2nd place as the Dodgers should win every world series for awhile.
Hopefully the upgrades are under the age of 40.
Pirates send Skenes and Keller for
Gunnar Henderson
Grayson Rodriguez
Daley Rutshman
OF prospect Heston Kjerstad or C prospect Samuel Basallo
Downvote for not including $100M also to cover those salaries for the next few years
No thanks
Not an Orioles fan in the least, but previous commenters are right. They do have the prospect capital to go after a guy like Skenes or Skubal if they are available. Hoping the Tigers keep Skubal and trade Clark, McGonigle, whoever else and can get Skenes.
Who? What O’s prospects would net either of those guys?
That Basilio guy their fans are always talking about along with Kjerstad, they are always trying to pitch him in trade talks. I’m not knowledgeable in all of their farm systems, I just always hearing their fans say they need to trade for pitching, and then list those 2 guys with a few others.
Basallo is a big league piece that figures heavily in the 2026 roster and the heir apparent to Rutschman.
Kjerstad has zero trade value and has not played a game at any level since July. The Yankees ruined him by beaning him in the head and he has been incapable of hitting since then.
Not just that. He has a heart condition. I’m counting on him for nothing. I hope he’s alright and it’d be great if he could produce something but he’s a write off right now.
Frankly they don’t have the capital for Skenes. Their system isn’t what it once was. Their Top 2 prospects are probably considered MLB pieces and the only 2 MLB Top 100 prospects in their August update. 2 others on BAs Top 100 rank from then topped out at low-A.
I think the Orioles HAVE had prospects. But theyre mostly on the MLB roster. No one is biting on Coby Mayo.
*Adley
I’ll go out on a limb and bet Elias rolls the dice on Kenley Jansen, Chas McCormick, and Framber and calls that a fix for the major holes. Then he’ll sit back and hope the teamwide regression that began mid-2024 reverses, and dodge blame when Valdez beefs with Basallo and won’t throw to Rutsch, and McCormick fails to return to form, and Kenley flames out a la Kimbrel – chalking it all up to having done what he could.
They can make multiple high impact signings without having to focus on the players attached to draft pick compensation.
Pete Alonso
Tatsuya Imai
R. Suarez or Devin Williams
They all would improve the team and would not require draft pick compensation.
They could then explore a trade for a controllable front of the rotation pitcher (doesn’t need to be an ace, a good number 2 would still improve the rotation)
I am sure they still prefer to not surrender any picks but making that statement publicly would hurt their side of any negotiations with players.
They can’t be hyper focused on draft picks anymore. The window is open right now. Go for it. Focus on drafting well in later rounds.
I like the idea of signing Alonso and then making Mayo part of a deal for Alcantara or Cabrera.
Mayo should be the only piece needed for either one of those guys. Cabrera’s going to be injured before he reaches free agency and Alcantara’s value isn’t back up.
A year late and a dollar short. They are saying the right things now….leta hope they follow thru.
I’ll believe it when I see it. Spending money to them might be the tier above Charlie Morton and Kyle Gibson which was the dumpster juice tier. Then that trash can O’Neill….what a waste. So in short it won’t be hard to have a better off season than last year.
Outside talent would help but it won’t matter who they bring in if the guys that they already have don’t produce.
I’m no fan of the front office or ownership but I have a feeling that they’re going to bring in players with a pulse this time around and not as many (cause they can’t help themselves) cadavers as they usually do.
Wait and see mode activated
If the Tigers aren’t extending or trading Skubal, then they should extend a decent+ one year offer to every top pitcher on that list – see if anyone bites.
Same with a couple top position players.
The message of course is “acceleration”.
What Elias says and what Elias does – there’s a big gap that keeps growing. We’ve heard “liftoff” and things of that nature before. But here is the actual record:
2022 – a couple games above .500 going into deadline and getting to within 1 game of wild card spot. SOLD instead of bought.
2022-23 offseason – despite the need for rotation help, replaced Jordan Lyles with another back end veteran innings eater with Kyle Gibson (who went 15-9 in 2023 because he got HUGE run support) and…. COLE IRVIN. Irvin was spun as “undervalued” and “diamond in the rough” coming from the A’s. He ended up being rough.
2023 deadline – I give him credit for trying to get a starter that he should have gotten in the offseason. Jack Flaherty was just the wrong one and it blew up in his face.
2023-24 offseason – obtained Corbin Burnes! But only for 1 year.
2024 deadline – Rogers was very expensive in terms of prospects given up and he did not help in 2024 (he was great in 2025 but the team was terrible, so the final grade on this trade is still TBD to look at 2026). Eflin was good down the stretch. Relievers? Meh. This has been his best deadline.
2024-25 offseason. Again, rotation an obvious needs. Picks up questionable replacements for Santander and McCann, then spends the winter meetings giggling about moving the wall in instead of getting starters. Then spends money on has beens that killed the 2025 season within 6 weeks
2025 deadline – despite saying that he didn’t want to trade players with team control in 2026 and saying he would get guys who can help in 2025 and 2026, he had a FIRE SALE including guys with 2026 team control for low level minors prospects, almost all of whom won’t be anywhere near the 2026 MLB level.
Elias is a good position player scout. His GM tenure is extremely questionable, at best. Terrible by my account.
Still no playoff wins since 2014.
He only got rid of Laureano and Kittredge. Urias was definitely expendable. Kitt is back. Laureano would’ve been nice to have but we’ll see if he can go back to back. That’s the only trade that might bite us.
Selling in 2022 was the right call if you really call it selling. He traded Jorge Lopez and won the trade by a mile.
In 2022 he also traded the team’s best player (Trey Mancini) for basically nothing. The return was McDermott lol.
Obtaining Laureano for 2025 was an afterthought, the same roster spot occupier strategy that begot Adam Frazier and Austin Slater previously. Laureano had a career year. He fully expected to pay less than market and get General Soreness hoping he would be healthy.