The first item on Mike Elias’ checklist is done.
The Orioles’ president of baseball operations on Tuesday helped introduce Craig Albernaz as the ballclub’s new manager. A coaching staff still needs to be assembled, but the most important part of Elias’ offseason will begin Thursday.
At 5 p.m., MLB’s free agency will open. Coming off a disappointing 75-87 campaign, the Orioles are in need of significant upgrades this winter. With about 100 days until spring training begins, The Baltimore Sun’s Orioles beat reporters Jacob Calvin Meyer and Matt Weyrich answer the most pressing questions facing the team this offseason.
What is the most important roster hole the Orioles must address this offseason?
Meyer: There isn’t a wrong answer to this question. Want to say it’s the bullpen? That’s fair considering the team needs a closer and perhaps several other relievers. Want to say it’s adding an impact, veteran bat? That’s hard to argue with after the young core regressed in 2025. Want to say it’s adding to the starting rotation? Well, after how 2025 went, of course it is. The answer to this question is perhaps all three, but it’s the rotation that’s most important.
Kyle Gibson was the club’s No. 1 starter to begin 2023. Albert Suárez finished second in innings pitched in 2024. And the first half of 2025 was a disaster for the rotation. The rotation already has Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers. About $70 million in payroll came off the books. And there are ample options on the market. It is past time that the Orioles build a deep and dominant rotation that matches the goals the organization has, and that is more achievable this winter now than ever.
Weyrich: The Orioles have needs in both the rotation and lineup, but the lack of a shutdown reliever to anchor the back end of the bullpen is particularly glaring. Félix Bautista can’t be counted on for much in 2026 and what he gives them beyond next season is in doubt as well after undergoing his second major surgery in three years. Baltimore has been in the position before, signing Craig Kimbrel to be a stopgap closer while Bautista was recovering from Tommy John surgery. But the Orioles could stand to acquire a high-leverage reliever with multiple years of team control this time, giving them a boost in their playoff push for 2026 and security in case Bautista doesn’t return to form.
Do you see the Orioles making a bigger splash in free agency or the trade market?
Meyer: This all depends on your definition of “splash.” By what most would consider a splash, Elias has made only one during his time as general manager: trading for ace Corbin Burnes before the 2024 season. But he’s yet to make one in free agency. Would a frustrated fan base appreciate Elias (and more so owner David Rubenstein) if they hand out a nine-figure contract to an ace or a power bat? Of course. But that alone isn’t a guarantee the Orioles will bounce back in 2026. Instead, the offseason should be judged by the totality of what the front office does. What’s more important than making splashes is acquiring players who definitively bolster the ballclub, rather than marginal moves around the edges like last offseason.
Weyrich: The Orioles have the means to spend this offseason after clearing their payroll of several high-priced veterans including Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano and Gary Sánchez. However, they’ve also restocked their farm system after acquiring 16 prospects at the trade deadline and making seven top-100 picks in this year’s MLB draft. While I do expect them to spend this winter to address their myriad roster holes, I think it’s more likely that money is spread around. The biggest move they make will probably be for a starting pitcher and the trade market is ripe with potential front-line options including Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta, Sonny Gray, MacKenzie Gore, Joe Ryan and Mitch Keller.
Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is rumored to be available. How aggressive of an offer should the Orioles make Detroit?
Meyer: There is no reason for the Orioles to be anything other than aggressive in pursuit of Skubal, who would instantly give the Orioles one of the best rotations in baseball. But the Orioles’ offer almost certainly won’t be enough. Perhaps no team will meet the Tigers’ asking price and the soon-to-be back-to-back American League Cy Young will remain in Detroit. Baltimore’s farm system has depth, but (assuming Jackson Holliday and Samuel Basallo are untouchable) it lacks the type of elite prospect required to acquire a pitcher like Skubal. The Orioles must try, but the odds of them overpaying enough to convince Detroit to give up Skubal is unlikely.
Weyrich: Just as Burnes was acquired with the understanding he was going to test free agency, Skubal — a fellow Scott Boras client — would be a pure rental as well. The left-hander has been the best starting pitcher in the sport over the past two seasons and he stands to cash in next winter as a candidate to sign the largest contract ever for a pitcher. If Jackson Holliday and Samuel Basallo are untouchable, the Orioles’ best offer would likely have to include Dylan Beavers, Trey Gibson and one or two of their first-round picks from the past few drafts. Perhaps Coby Mayo as well. Even that might not be enough, but the Orioles should be willing to part with just about anyone in their farm system if it means adding Skubal to the front end of their rotation.
After trading for Andrew Kittredge, how many more relievers will the Orioles acquire this offseason to rebuild their bullpen?
Meyer: One or two more than the math suggests. After the Kittredge trade — and, worth noting, what a combination of deals by Elias — the math might show the Orioles need two more relievers. It would be prudent to go overboard and get three or four instead. Injuries, especially to the pitching staff, have destroyed the Orioles over the past two seasons. It would be better to have a bullpen so deep that results in Rico Garcia not making the team and Kade Strowd in the minor leagues rather than opening the season with those two intriguing relievers in the bullpen. Furthermore, Elias’ track record of signing relievers isn’t great, but the sample isn’t large. The best way to improve that is to take more shots.
Weyrich: Elias made a savvy series of moves to get Kittredge into his bullpen for 2026, ensuring that he enters free agency with a dependable setup man around which he can start shaping the Orioles’ late-inning assignments. He’ll need at least two more to prevent the unit from being a liability and that’s how many I see the team acquiring this winter. In addition to Kittredge, the Orioles also have Yennier Cano, Keegan Akin and Dietrich Enns as likely candidates to crack the opening day bullpen. Should they add a closer and another setup man, that would leave them with two open slots — one for the likes of Garcia, Strowd and others to battle for and one for the starter who gets bumped from the rotation because of their offseason moves (read: Tyler Wells or Grayson Rodriguez).
The Orioles could target Freddy Peralta in a trade with the Brewers this offseason to bolster their starting rotation. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
What under-the-radar free agents or trade targets should Orioles fans keep an eye on?
Meyer: This doesn’t count as “under-the-radar,” but this is just a roundtable about a silly game, so let’s break the rules. At the 2024 trade deadline, I predicted the Orioles would trade for Tampa Bay Rays starter Zach Eflin — and that they did. It would be smart for me to quit while I’m ahead, but what’s the fun in that? Here’s another prediction (based purely on conjecture): The Orioles will trade for Milwaukee Brewers starter Freddy Peralta. Baltimore needs another front-of-the-rotation starter to pair with Bradish and Rogers. Peralta has been one of the best and most consistent and durable pitchers in baseball over the past five seasons with a 3.30 ERA and 30-plus starts in three straight campaigns. Elias now has the prospect depth to be able to line up a deal like this. The Brewers have proven they have little issue making trades like this after they did so with Burnes. And the Orioles and Brewers front offices share similar philosophies and views of minor league talent, perhaps making it easier to find middle ground.
Weyrich: Center field is another key area the Orioles need to address this offseason after trading Cedric Mullins at the deadline. Colton Cowser could still be their everyday center fielder of the future, but he still showed some room to grow at the position and his injury history makes it difficult to bank on him playing 150 games there in 2026. Two free agents who could be a solid fit for Baltimore at the position are Harrison Bader and Trent Grisham. Bader would be the choice if defense is the priority, grading out as a plus defender with fantastic range who could help take the load off both Cowser and Tyler O’Neill in the corners. Grisham is more league average in center but is coming off a career year at the plate with 34 home runs and an .811 OPS.
After ranking 15th at $162 million last year, where will the Orioles rank in 2026 opening day payroll?
Meyer: 15th
Weyrich: 11th
Who will sign Kyle Tucker and for how much?
Meyer: New York Yankees — 12 years, $360 million
Weyrich: Los Angeles Dodgers — 12 years, $325 million
Who will sign Framber Valdez and for how much?
Meyer: New York Mets — 7 years, $210 million
Weyrich: Philadelphia Phillies — 7 years, $235 million
Have a news tip? Contact Jacob Calvin Meyer at jameyer@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/JCalvinMeyer and Matt Weyrich at mweyrich@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/ByMattWeyrich.