Finally — after decades of seeing the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays and other big market teams sign all the top free agents — the Orioles have done it: They’ve spent huge cash for a new blue-chip, team-changing slugger. Enter Pete Alonso, among the most consistent, high-producing power hitters in baseball, gaining a five-year, $155 million contract.
Nick-named the “Polar Bear” due to his burly build and genial temperament, Alonso was the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year, and has smacked 264 homers — the most in the MLB other than Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber over the last seven years. A five-time All-Star, Alonso was Silver Slugger Award winner last year at first base, with 38 homers, 41 doubles, 126 RBI and a .871 OPS.
Alonso’s right-handed power is precisely what the Orioles need and should play remarkably well at Camden Yards, where he has a career 1.039 OPS (if only in a 10-game sample). The Orioles had a shockingly low .364 OPS against lefty pitching last year and so desperately needed right-handed power. In fact, Alonso’s home run total last year was more than double the top Oriole in 2025, and nearly half of what all the Orioles’ righties hit last season.
And, in an era of constant player injuries, Alonso has shown remarkable durability, having played in nearly 98% of his team’s games over his career, more games over that time than any other MLB player. He is also super clutch, carrying a career .933 OPS with runners in scoring position, and over .1000 OPS in the post-season.
At 31 years old next season, there is reason to believe Alonso will contribute productive years through the end of his contract. It is true he is sometimes challenged defensively at first base, but he is likely to move more and more to DH over time. And by general acknowledgment, he is a great clubhouse presence, popular with players, fans and coaches alike.
Now that the Orioles have bolstered their lineup with right-handed power hitters Pete Alonso and trade acquisition outfielder Taylor Ward, President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias has made it clear they are still going to make another big “splash” — intent on signing a front-line starting pitcher.
Of available top starters, Ranger Suárez, a free agent lefty who has spent his career with the Phillies, seems the best option, since he has been reliably durable and consistently effective with an ERA in the low 3s. Another possibility includes free agent Framber Valdez, a southpaw who spent recent years with the Houston Astros, but whose mindset may be questionable given that he has been accused of deliberately crossing up his own catcher, hitting him with a pitch last season. Japanese league star Tatsuya Imai could be another option, an avenue the Orioles showed openness to last year when they signed a one-year deal with Tomoyuki Sagano, who will not be returning to Baltimore.
The Orioles also recently made a major upgrade to their bullpen by signing former Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley to a two-year $28 million deal. Helsley, a two-time All-Star who led all of baseball with 49 saves in 2024, struggled much of last year with the Mets before finally regaining dominant form late in the season. In all likelihood, the Orioles will also be looking for additional starting and relief pitching in the off-season via trades. Some of this could come about now that veteran right-handed first baseman Ryan Mountcastle is expendable, and left-handed first basemen Coby Mayo could also be trade bait. A team like the Pittsburgh Pirates, who need help at first base but have reliable starters, could be an option, with a pitcher like Mitch Keller of potential interest.
More broadly, the signing of Pete Alonso means that Baltimore suddenly becomes a much more attractive destination for other top players. In past years, the Orioles consistently offered matching or greater money to leading free agents but were turned down because the view was that Baltimore’s management would not pay top dollar over the long term to field a team capable of winning in the ultra-competitive American League East division. The Orioles now will also have the opportunity to add leading players before the training deadline in 2026 if, as expected, they are in a tight playoff race. This stands in contrast to essentially status quo personnel decisions in 2023 in 2024 that contributed to early exits in the playoffs.
Without question, Mike Elias and owner David Rubenstein are to be genuinely congratulated for their bold player acquisitions and new determination to win now, while the Orioles have a cadre of less expensive and talented young players like Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, Adley Rutschman and Colton Cowser under contract for a few more years.
These new acquisitions will reignite excitement among Orioles fans deeply disappointed by the 2025 season. Now, 2026 is shaping up to be a very competitive make-or-break go-for-broke year for the Orioles, not least because a labor dispute between the MLB owners and players is likely to lead to a player lockout in December 2026.
But for now, the Orioles are back with a powerful lineup and bright future in 2026. That is all Birdland can ask for, other than that elusive trip to the World Series, which is suddenly much more possible.
Paul Bledsoe (@paulbledsoe) is an Orioles fan from Arlington, Virginia.