While last night’s 10-7 loss to the Astros was a real bummer, I won’t let it damper what, in the grand scheme, was a big day for the Orioles organization. Hopefully, years from now, we won’t all remember Friday as yet another boneheaded performance for the 2025 squad, but rather as laying the groundwork for the sort of year-to-year competitiveness that Mike Elias has always claimed to strive for.

Samuel Basallo is going to be an Oriole through 2033 at least. If he plays well, he will be here through 2034. We may not know the exact type of player he will become just yet, but he certainly seems like a guy that you want your organization to lock up long term and at a known cost. He’s young. He plays a premium position. He has one of the highest offensive ceilings in the sport. Those are some very good things!

Now, we all need to level set. Just because Basallo has the long term contract now does not mean that he is going to be an instant success. He should still be given the grace and patience that all young players deserve. The Orioles, in particular, are familiar with prospects coming up and scuffling out of the gate. It is entirely possible that Basallo does the same, especially while he continues to develop behind the plate.

Regardless of his performance in 2025, the fact that the Orioles got this deal done feels like an indication of good things to come. In addition to some other business that Elias needs to get done this winter, will he also approach other current Orioles for a contract extension? It would certainly keep the positive momentum going.

How Orioles’ Samuel Basallo extension affects Adley Rutschman | The Baltimore Sun
This deal will certainly have an impact on Rutschman. But for 2026 anyway, I think the two can coexist. A team needs two catchers, and there should be at-bats to go around at first base and DH as well. Of course, that only happens if one of Ryan Mountcastle or Coby Mayo is dealt in the offseason. That seems entirely possible as the team tries to rebuild its bullpen and fortify its rotation.

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

This day in O’s history

2002 – The Orioles use four home runs to come back from a six-run deficit and defeat the Blue Jays 11-7. The win makes the O’s 63-63 on the season. They would win just four more games the rest of the season.